Gen Aamer Raza honoured with Nishan-i-Imtiaz

Commander National Strategic Command General Syed Aamer Raza has been conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military), one of Pakistan’s

Commander National Strategic Command General Syed Aamer Raza has been conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military), one of Pakistan’s highest military honours.

President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the prestigious award on General Syed Aamer Raza during a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.

President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the chiefs of the armed services attended the ceremony.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the chairman of the Senate, federal ministers and other senior government officials were also present.

The ceremony was held to recognise General Aamer Raza’s services and contributions in his capacity as Commander National Strategic Command.

General Raza has previously received two major military honours, the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and the Sitara-i-Basalat.

Before his latest appointment, he was serving as Chief of General Staff. The position is considered one of the Pakistan Army’s key operational assignments.

During his tenure, he was involved in implementing organisational changes following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. He also oversaw restructuring within the military after last year’s conflict with India.

The changes included the creation of the Army Rocket Force Command, as part of efforts to strengthen the army’s organisational and operational capabilities.

General Raza began his military career as a cavalry officer. He trained at the Officers Training School and was commissioned into the 6th Lancers in 1988.

Over the course of his career, he held several important command positions. These included command of an armoured regiment and an armoured brigade.

He also commanded an infantry brigade in South Waziristan. Later, he served as the commander of an infantry division.

His senior field appointments included command of Lahore-based IV Corps, one of the Pakistan Army’s major corps formations.

General Raza has also held a number of important institutional and staff positions. He headed Heavy Industries Taxila, a major defence production organisation.

He also served as Director General of Weapons and Equipment. In another senior assignment, he worked as Chief of Staff at II Corps.

His professional background has largely focused on conventional military operations, command responsibilities and force development.

Unlike some senior officers associated with Pakistan’s strategic institutions, General Raza has not served in the Strategic Plans Division or the Army Strategic Forces Command.

He has also not held an appointment directly linked to the country’s strategic missile programme.