President Zardari confers Nishan-e-Imtiaz on National Strategic Command chief Gen Aamer Raza

President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) on Commander National Strategic Command (CNSC) General Aamer Raza during an investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.

According to Pakistan Television (PTV), the ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, the services chiefs, and senior military and government officials.

General Raza has previously been awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-e-Basalat (Star of Valour).

He was appointed as Pakistan's first CNSC after PM Shehbaz promoted him from lieutenant general to the rank of four-star general on July 24. General Raza was serving as the chief of the general staff of the Pakistan Army before assuming command of the country's newly established National Strategic Command.

Read More: General Syed Aamer Raza assumes office as first Commander National Strategic Command, meets CDF Munir

The position was created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which rewrote Article 243. The amendment abolished the longstanding office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and established the posts of CDF and CNSC. It also expanded the constitutional powers of the country's senior military leadership and introduced constitutional protections for five-star generals.

Read: Senate passes military reforms approved under 27th Constitutional Amendment

Under the amendment, the prime minister appoints the CNSC on the recommendation of the CDF. The appointment is for a three-year term, while the prime minister is authorised to determine the terms, conditions and rules governing the office.

The amendment also allows the prime minister to reappoint the commander for one additional three-year term on the recommendation of the CDF.

It further provides that the appointment, reappointment or extension of the CNSC cannot be challenged before any court, placing such decisions beyond judicial review. The bill also stipulates that the retirement age, service tenure, or removal clauses under the Army Act will not apply to the CNSC, who will continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army while performing his duties in the role.

Under the amendment, the CNSC serves with the rank of general in the Pakistan Army.