ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military), one of Pakistan’s highest military awards, on National Strategic Command Commander General Amir Raza.
The award ceremony was held at the President’s House in Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, service chiefs and senior military and government officials attended the ceremony.
President Zardari had approved the award for General Raza on July 31.
General Raza was promoted to the rank of four-star general and appointed commander of the National Strategic Command in July. The appointment was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The post of National Strategic Command commander was created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment last year. The amendment brought major changes to Pakistan’s military command structure.
The new position was established to oversee strategic and nuclear-related responsibilities following the abolition of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
General Raza has previously received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Basalat.
Before assuming his current position, General Raza served as chief of general staff, one of the Pakistan Army’s key operational appointments.
In that role, he oversaw organisational changes following the 27th Constitutional Amendment and a restructuring of the military command structure after tensions with India last year.
Several organisational measures were also introduced during the period, including the establishment of the Army Rocket Force Command.
General Raza belongs to the cavalry branch and was trained at the Officers Training School. He was commissioned into the 6 Lancers in 1988.
During his military career, he commanded an armoured regiment, an armoured brigade, an infantry brigade in South Waziristan, an infantry division and the Lahore-based 4 Corps.
He has also served as head of Heavy Industries Taxila. He previously held the positions of director general of weapons and equipment and chief of staff at II Corps.
Much of General Raza’s professional career has focused on conventional military operations and the development of Pakistan’s military capabilities.
