ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has promoted Lieutenant General Syed Aamer Raza, HI(M), SBt, to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander National Strategic Command, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday.

The prime minister congratulated General Aamer Raza on his promotion and appointment, expressing confidence in his ability to lead one of the country’s most significant strategic commands and wishing him success in his new responsibilities.

Before his promotion, General Aamer Raza was serving as the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) at the General Headquarters (GHQ), one of the Pakistan Army’s most influential operational and strategic appointments. The position oversees military operations, intelligence coordination and strategic planning, making it a key role in the Army’s command structure.

His elevation to four-star rank follows a distinguished military career spanning command, operational, technical and institutional leadership roles. A senior officer of the Armoured Corps, General Aamer Raza has held several high-profile appointments that have contributed to his reputation as one of the Army’s experienced strategic planners.

Earlier in his career, he served as Director General Weapons and Equipment, where he supervised key military procurement and modernization initiatives. He also served as Chairman of Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), one of Pakistan’s premier defence manufacturing organizations responsible for producing and upgrading military equipment.

His experience in weapons systems, defence production and military modernization is considered particularly relevant to his new responsibilities as Commander National Strategic Command, a position requiring oversight of critical strategic capabilities and advanced defence technologies.

Military observers view the appointment as reflecting the Pakistan Armed Forces’ longstanding emphasis on promoting senior officers on the basis of professional merit, operational experience and technical competence.

Officials say General Aamer Raza’s extensive command experience, combined with his strategic planning background and expertise in defence technology, makes him well suited to lead the National Strategic Command at a time when strategic security and technological preparedness remain key national priorities.

The Prime Minister’s Office did not disclose when General Aamer Raza will formally assume charge of his new appointment or provide additional details regarding the command’s future structure.

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