President approves Nishan-i-Imtiaz for Strategic Command chief

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Syed Aamer

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on General Syed Aamer Raza, the newly appointed Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC).

The announcement was made by the President’s Secretariat through a post on X, stating that the country’s highest civilian office had endorsed the prestigious military honour for General Raza in recognition of his distinguished service.

General Raza has previously received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and the Sitara-i-Basalat, reflecting a career marked by operational leadership and professional excellence.

His latest recognition comes shortly after his promotion to the rank of four-star general and appointment as Pakistan’s first Commander of the National Strategic Command. The position was created as part of the sweeping reforms introduced under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which reshaped the country’s higher defence structure.

Under the new framework, the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was abolished and replaced by the position of Chief of Defence Forces, a role currently held concurrently by Field Marshal Asim Munir as Chief of Army Staff.

The National Strategic Command serves as the unified operational headquarters for Pakistan’s strategic forces, bringing together the strategic commands of the Army, Navy and Air Force under one command. Despite this restructuring, the National Command Authority, chaired by the prime minister, remains the country’s highest decision-making body on nuclear policy and strategic employment.

General Raza was appointed to the post by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces. As provided under the amended Army Act, the appointment carries a three-year tenure.

Before assuming his new responsibilities, General Raza served as Chief of General Staff, where he supervised key operational planning and played a central role in implementing military reforms introduced after the constitutional changes. He also oversaw organisational restructuring following last year’s conflict with India, including the establishment of the Army Rocket Force Command.

Commissioned into the 6th Lancers in 1988 after graduating from the Officers Training School (OTS), General Raza has held several important command and staff appointments throughout his military career. These include commanding an armoured regiment, an armoured brigade, an infantry brigade in South Waziristan, an infantry division and Lahore’s IV Corps. He has also served as Chairman of Heavy Industries Taxila, Director General Weapons and Equipment, and Chief of Staff at II Corps.