Govt notifies Gen Sahir Shamshad as CJCSC, Gen Asim Munir as COAS

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has appointed Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and General Asim Munir as the next Chief of Army Staff (COAS), notifications said Friday morning.

Uncertainty surrounding key appointments in the military ended Thursday evening after President Arif Alvi signed off on the summary to appoint both the top military officers. As a result, incumbent CJCSC Gen Nadeem Raza will hang up his boots on November 27 and COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa will retire on November 29, the notifications from the Ministry of Defence read.

“In exercise of powers conferred by Article 243(4)(b) of the Constitution [...] read with Section 8A of Pakistan Army Act 1952, the president on the advice of the prime minister is pleased to approve the promotion of PA-25031 Lt Gen Syed Asim Munir [...] to the rank of General with immediate effect and his appointment as Chief of the Army Staff for a period of three years with effect from 29th November 2022,” a notification read.

The Ministry of Defence in another notification declared “In terms of Rule 12 of Pakistani Army Act Rules 1954, the prime minister has been pleased to approve the retirement of PA-19617 General Qamar Javed Bajwa, NI(M), with effect from Nov 29, 2022 from the Army service with normal benefits.”

In yet another notification, the Ministry of Defence stated: “In terms of Rule 12 of Pakistani Army Act Rules 1954, the prime minister has been pleased to approve the retirement of PA-24207 General Nadeem Raza, NI(M), with effect from Nov 27, 2022 from the Army service with normal benefits.”