Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has promoted Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, the chief of general staff of the Pakistan Army, to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander National Strategic Command (CNSC).

This move, announced by the Prime Minister’s Office, highlights the restructuring of Pakistan’s military leadership under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

The amendment redefined the military’s chain of command, creating the CNSC role to manage nuclear responsibilities previously held by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).The appointment is tied to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a new post established under the amendment to unify armed forces command.The CNSC’s appointment, reappointment, or extension cannot be challenged in court, ensuring executive control.Field Marshal Asim Munir, the first CDF, was appointed last year, marking a shift toward centralized military governance.This development underscores Pakistan’s efforts to streamline defense leadership while maintaining strategic autonomy.