General Syed Aamer Raza on Monday took charge as the first Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSCC) and held a meeting with Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
A press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that CNSC Raza was given a guard of honor on taking charge at the General Headquarters (GHQ).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had promoted him to the rank of four-star general and appointed him to the post of CNSC on July 24, a move that completed the restructuring of the country’s military high command initiated under the 27th constitutional amendment.
After the guard of honor, the ISPR said that CNSC Raza presented a wreath to the martyrs’ monument and paid homage to them.
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He then summoned CDF Munir to GHQ for a meeting, during which the latter congratulated the four-star general on assuming command.
The position of CCSN was created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which rewrote Article 243. The amendment abolished the long-standing position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and created the positions of CDF and CCSN. It also expanded the constitutional powers of the country’s top military leaders and introduced constitutional protections for five-star generals.
Under the new law, the Prime Minister appoints the CNSC for a three-year term on the recommendation of the CDF. The Prime Minister is empowered to determine the terms and rules governing this function.
The amendment also allows the Prime Minister to reappoint the commander for an additional three-year term on the recommendation of the CDF.
Learn more: PM Shehbaz appoints General Aamer Raza as Commander National Strategic Command
He added that the appointment, reappointment or extension of the CNSC cannot be challenged in any court, making it immune from judicial review. The law also stated that retirement age, length of service or revocation clauses under the Army Act would not apply to the CNSC, who would continue to serve as a general in the Pakistan Army while holding office.
