President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) for General Syed Aamer Raza, the newly appointed Commander of the National Strategic Command (CNSC).
This decision was announced by the President’s Office in a post on X on Friday. The President’s statement confirmed that the honour had been conferred on General Raza in recognition of his new role. He had earlier been promoted from lieutenant general to four star general by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on July 24, becoming Pakistan’s first CNSC.
General Raza served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Pakistan Army previously, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. He has also previously received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) and the Sitara-e-Basalat for his military service.
The CNSC post was established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which revised Article 243 of the Constitution. Under the amendment, the prime minister appoints the CNSC on the joint recommendation of the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces, for a three-year term that can be extended once.
However, the Army Act’s provisions on retirement age, tenure and removal do not apply to this position. Though the officer continues to hold the rank of General within the Pakistan Army.
Field Marshal Asim Munir was named Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces on December 4, a role he holds alongside his position as Chief of Army Staff. It was a rare dual appointment in the country’s military structure.
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