General Sahir Shamshad Mirza NI(M) HI(M) (Urdu: ساحر شمشاد مرزا) is a four-star general in the Pakistan Army, currently serving as the 18th Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee[3] appointed to the post on 27 November 2022.[4] Prior to his appointment as Commander of X Corps at Rawalpindi, he previously served as 37th Chief of General Staff until he was succeeded by Azhar Abbas.[5][6]
Sahir Shamshad Mirza | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ساحر شمشاد مرزا | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 18th Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 27 November 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Arif Alvi Asif Ali Zardari | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | General Nadeem Raza | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Mulhal Mughlan, Chakwal District, Pakistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent |
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| Education | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Awards |  Nishan-e-Imtiaz Hilal-e-Imtiaz Order of Bahrain Star of Jordan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military service | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Allegiance |  Pakistan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Branch/service |  Pakistan Army | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years of service | 1987–Present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank |   General | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit | 8 Sind Regiment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commands | List of Commands
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Early life
editSahir was born to Shamshad Mirza in Mulhal Mughlan, a small village located in Chakwal District. Sahir lost his parents at a young age which led to him being raised as an orphan.[7]
Military career
editSahir was commissioned into the 8th Sind Regiment of the Pakistan Army after completing the 76th Pakistan Military Academy course on 10 September 1987. He has held commands such as adjutant general at the GHQ, Commander X Corps and Director General for Military Operations.[8] During his assignment at Military Operations, he commanded 40th Infantry Division in Okara.[9]
Military schooling and teachings
editHe graduated from the Pakistan Military Academy, Command and Staff College, Quetta and National Defence University, Pakistan. He also received his M.Sc. degree in Global Security from Cranfield University, United Kingdom.[1]
On 8 December 2022, Sahir received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (military) award alongside COAS Asim Munir from Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The top military officials were given the awards in front of Prime Minister of Pakistan, diplomats, lawmakers, and federal ministers.[10]
Publications
editEffective dates of promotion
edit| Insignia | Rank | Date |
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General | Nov 2022[12] |
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Lieutenant General | April 2019 |
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Major General | February 2015[13] |
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Brigadier | September 2012 |
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Lieutenant Colonel | April 2002 |
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Major | May 1996 |
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Captain | April 1991 |
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Lieutenant | October 1989 |
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Second Lieutenant | October 1987 |
Awards and decorations
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| Nishan-e-Imtiaz
(2022) |
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| Hilal-e-Imtiaz
(Crescent of Excellence) (2018) |
Tamgha-e-Diffa
(General Service Medal) Siachen Glacier Clasp |
Tamgha-e-Baqa
1998 |
Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan
2002 |
| Tamgha-e-Azm
(Medal of Conviction) (2018) |
10 Years Service Medal | 20 Years Service Medal | 30 Years Service Medal |
| 35 Years Service Medal | Jamhuriat Tamgha
(Democracy Medal) 1988 |
Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha
(Resolution Day Nishan e Haider Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990 |
Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan
(Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1997 |
| Command & Staff College Quetta
Instructor's Medal |
United Nations
(2 Deployments) |
The Order of Bahrain
(Bahrain) (2021) |
Order of the
(Jordan) (2023) |
Foreign decorations
edit| Foreign Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
 United Nations
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UNOMSIL Medal |
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 Bahrain
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The Order of Bahrain (2nd Class)[14] |
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 Jordan
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Order of the Star of Jordan (1st Class)[15][16] |
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References
edit- ^ a b "Nishan-i-Imtiaz Conferred on CJCSC General Sahir Shamshad Mirza". 8 December 2022.
During his illustrious military career, he served on various Command, Staff and Instructional assignments. His major staff appointments include Brigade Major of two Infantry Brigades, General Staff Officer Grade-1 (Plans) at Pakistan Contingent United Nations Mission Sierra Leone, Director Military Operations and Director General Military Operations, Vice Chief of General Staff, Adjutant General and Chief of General Staff at the General Headquarters. In his instructional appointments, he has been on the faculty of the School of Infantry and Tactics, Quetta, Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul and Command and Staff College, Quetta. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza has commanded an Infantry Battalion, each in North Waziristan and Shaqma War Zone, and Infantry Brigade along the Working Boundary, an Infantry Division in Operation Al-Mizan and Command of 10 Corps.
- ^ "Nishan-i-Imtiaz Conferred on CJCSC General Sahir Shamshad Mirza". December 8, 2022.
- ^ "PM Shehbaz chooses Lt Gen Asim Munir as COAS, Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad as CJCSC". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
- ^ Web Desk (2021-09-07). "Lt General Sahir Shamshad Mirza appointed Commander Rawalpindi Corps: ISPR". The Nation. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
- ^ "Lt General Sahir Shamshad Mirza Appointed New Chief of Joint Staff: Pak Army". News18. 2019-11-26. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
- ^ "Lt Gen Azhar Abbas made army's chief of general staff". DAWN.COM. 2021-09-08. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
- ^ "What is 'Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee' and who is its new chairman Gen Sahir Shamshad?". 27 November 2022.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza belongs to Malhal Mughlan, a town of Chakwal district in Punjab. It is said that his father died in his early age and a few months after his father's death, his mother also left this world. After losing his parents, General Sahir Shamshad made his own life through hard work.
- ^ Banerji, Rana (2019-11-26). "The man who could succeed Pak army chief". Rediff. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
- ^ "Four promoted to rank of lieutenant general". DAWN.COM. 2019-04-13. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
- ^ "President Alvi confers Nishan-i-Imtiaz (military) on COAS, CJCSC". The Express Tribune. 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
- ^ Shah, Aqil (2014). The Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan. Harvard University Press. p. 372.
- ^ "Sahir Shamshad Mirza".
- ^ https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=2777 [bare URL]
- ^ a b "Bahrain News: King Hamad highlights Bahrain's strong bilateral ties with Pakistan". www.gdnonline.com. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ a b "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". ispr.gov.pk. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
- ^ a b "Jordan's King Abdullah awards medal to Pakistan's General Sahir Shamshad Mirza amid security talks". Arab News PK. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-01-06.