Sahir Shamshad Mirza
{{short description|18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = General
| honorific_suffix = NI(M) HI(M)
| native_name = {{nq|ساحر شمشاد مرزا}}
| image = General-sahir-shamshad-mirza.jpg
| name = Sahir Shamshad Mirza
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Mulhal Mughlan, Chakwal District, Pakistan
| father = Shamshad Mirza
| office1 = 18th Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
| term_start1 = 27 November 2022
| term_end1 =
| president1 = Arif Alvi
Asif Ali Zardari
| predecessor1 = General Nadeem Raza
{{collapsed infobox section begin
| cont = yes
| Former Commands
| titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;
}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| embed = yes
| office2 = Corps Commander Rawalpindi
| term_start2 = 7 September 2021
| term_end2 = 26 November 2022
| predecessor2 = Azhar Abbas
| successor2 = Shahid Imtiaz
| office3 = 37th Chief of General Staff
| term_start3 = June 2019
| term_end3 = September 2021
| predecessor3 = Nadeem Raza
| successor3 = Azhar Abbas
| office4 = Adjutant General at GHQ
| term_start4 = June 2019
| term_end4 = September 2019
| predecessor4 = Faiz Hameed
| successor4 = Muhammad Aamer
| office5 = Vice Chief of General Staff – Alpha
| term_start5 = October 2018
| term_end5 = June 2019
| successor5 = Major General Muhammad Asim Malik
| predecessor5 = Major General Shaheen Mazhar Mehmood
| office6 = Director General Military Operations
| term_start6 = September 2015
| term_end6 = October 2018
| successor6 = Major General Nauman Zakaria
| predecessor6 = Major General Aamer Riaz
| office7 = GOC 40th Infantry Division, D.I. Khan
| term_start7 = February 2015
| term_end7 = 15 September 2015
| successor7 = Major General Abid Mumtaz
}}
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| allegiance = {{PAK}}
| branch = {{army|Pakistan}}
| unit = 8 Sind Regiment
| serviceyears = 1987–Present
| rank = General
| servicenumber =
| commands = {{Collapsible list
|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
|title=List of Commands
|bullets=true
|1=X Corps|2=Chief of General Staff|3=Vice CGS - Alpha|4=Military Operations|5=40 Infantry Division, Okara|6=Brigade Major of two Infantry Brigades|7=GSO Grade I (Plans) Pakistan Contingent UNOMSIL}}{{Cite web|url=https://dnd.com.pk/pakistan-army/nishan-i-imtiaz-conferred-on-cjcsc-general-sahir-shamshad-mirza/|title=Nishan-i-Imtiaz Conferred on CJCSC General Sahir Shamshad Mirza|date=December 8, 2022}}
| battles = *Sierra Leone Civil War
| education = *Pakistan Military Academy
- National Defence University
- Cranfield University {{small|(MSc.)}}{{cite news |title=Nishan-i-Imtiaz Conferred on CJCSC General Sahir Shamshad Mirza|url=https://dnd.com.pk/nishan-i-imtiaz-conferred-on-cjcsc-general-sahir-shamshad-mirza/279344|date=8 December 2022|language=en|quote=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.}}
| awards = List
}}
Sahir Shamshad Mirza{{Cite web |title=CJCSC General Sahir stresses resolution of Kashmir dispute for regional peace |url=https://www.ptv.com.pk/ptvworld/newsdetail/6690 |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=www.ptv.com.pk}}{{Cite web |last=Correspondent |first=Our |date=2025-06-03 |title=Pakistan used own resources in 96-hour conflict with India: Gen Mirza |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2549288/pakistan-used-own-resources-in-96-hour-conflict-with-india-gen-mirza |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} {{small|{{small|NI(M)}}}} {{small|{{small|HI(M)}}}} ({{langx|ur|{{nq|ساحر شمشاد مرزا}}}}) is a Pakistani four star-general, currently serving as the 18th chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee{{Cite web |title=PM Shehbaz chooses Lt Gen Asim Munir as COAS, Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad as CJCSC |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1013235-lt-general-asim-munir-set-to-become-next-army-chief-govt-announces |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}} appointed to the post on 27 November 2022.{{cite web | author=Web Desk | title=Lt General Sahir Shamshad Mirza appointed Commander Rawalpindi Corps: ISPR | website=The Nation | date=2021-09-07 | url=https://nation.com.pk/07-Sep-2021/lt-general-sahir-shamshad-mirza-appointed-commander-rawalpindi-corps-ispr | access-date=2021-09-09}} Prior to this appointment, he commanded the Rawalpindi Northern Command from 2021 to 2022.{{cite web | title=Lt General Sahir Shamshad Mirza Appointed New Chief of Joint Staff: Pak Army | website=News18 | date=2019-11-26 | url=https://www.news18.com/news/world/lt-general-sahir-shamshad-mirza-appointed-new-chief-of-joint-staff-pak-army-2400155.html | access-date=2021-09-09}}{{cite web | title=Lt Gen Azhar Abbas made army's chief of general staff | website=DAWN.COM | date=2021-09-08 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1645131 | access-date=2021-09-09}}
Early life and education
Sahir was born to Shamshad Mirza in Mulhal Mughlan, a small village located in Chakwal District, Punjab. Sahir lost his parents at a young age which led to him being raised as an orphan.{{cite news |title=What is 'Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee' and who is its new chairman Gen Sahir Shamshad?|url=https://mmnews.tv/what-is-joint-chiefs-of-staff-committee-and-who-is-its-new-chairman-gen-sahir-shamshad/|date=27 November 2022|language=english| quote=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.}}
He 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.
Military career
Sahir 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 and G1M06 at the Military Operations Directorate.{{cite web | last=Banerji | first=Rana | title=The man who could succeed Pak army chief | website=Rediff | date=2019-11-26 | url=https://www.rediff.com/news/column/the-man-who-could-succeed-pak-army-chief/20191126.htm | access-date=2021-09-09}} During his assignment at Military Operations, he commanded 40th Infantry Division in Okara.{{cite web | title=Four promoted to rank of lieutenant general | website=DAWN.COM | date=2019-04-13 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1475770 | access-date=2021-09-09}}
Political views
= Regional stability and strategic balance =
Sahir has consistently advocated for strategic stability in South Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, he emphasized that enduring peace requires trust, mutual recognition of red lines, and inclusive crisis management mechanisms. He warned that attempts to build regional security architectures without trust or equal participation are inherently flawed.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=June 1, 2025 |title=Gen Sahir urges inclusive stability mechanisms |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1317380-gen-sahir-urges-inclusive-stability-mechanisms |access-date=June 1, 2025 |work=The News International}}
= Kashmir dispute =
Highlighting the fragile security environment in South Asia, Sahir identified unresolved disputes such as Kashmir, deteriorating India-Pakistan-China relations, and Afghanistan’s instability as major flashpoints. He cautioned that the nuclearization of the region has heightened the risk of miscalculation, and called for the restoration of functional communication channels between rival states.
He reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position on Kashmir, advocating for a resolution aligned with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=June 1, 2025 |title=Gen Sahir urges inclusive stability mechanisms |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1317380-gen-sahir-urges-inclusive-stability-mechanisms |access-date=June 1, 2025 |work=The News International}}
Awards and honours
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.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-08 |title=President Alvi confers Nishan-i-Imtiaz (military) on COAS, CJCSC |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2390092/president-alvi-confers-nishan-i-imtiaz-on-coas-cjcsc |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}
Publications
- Lieutenant Colonel Sahir Shamshad Mirza, “Subcontinental Security and Its Impact on World Security: Challenges and the Way Forward”, NDU Journal, 2009.{{Cite book |last=Shah |first=Aqil |title=The Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=2014 |pages=372}}
Effective dates of promotion
| class="wikitable"
!style="background:#FFFFE0"|Insignia !!style="background:#FFFFE0"| Rank !!style="background:#FFFFE0"| Date | ||
| style="background:#88EEEE;"|File:OF-9_Pakistan_Army.svg 70x70px | style="background:#88EEEE;"|General | style="background:#88EEEE;"|Nov 2022{{Cite web|url=https://www.bolnews.com/bolpedia/lt-gen-sahir-shamshad-mirza/|title=Sahir Shamshad Mirza}} |
| style="background:#88EEEE;"|File:OF-8 PakistanArmy.svg 55px | style="background:#88EEEE;"|Lieutenant General | style="background:#88EEEE;"|April 2019 |
| style="background:#88EEEE;"|File:OF-7 Pakistan Army.svg 35px | style="background:#88EEEE;"|Major General | style="background:#88EEEE;"|February 2015https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail?id=2777 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} |
| style="background:#88EEEE;"|File:OF-6 Pakistan Army.svg 16px | style="background:#88EEEE;"|Brigadier | style="background:#88EEEE;"|September 2012 |
| style="background:#b2cefe;"|File:OF-4 Pakistan Army.svg | style="background:#b2cefe;"|Lieutenant Colonel | style="background:#b2cefe;"|April 2002 |
| style="background:#b2cefe;"|File:OF-4 Pakistan Army.svg | style="background:#b2cefe;"|Major | style="background:#b2cefe;"| May 1996 |
| style="background:#b2cefe;"|File:OF-2 Pakistan Army.svg | style="background:#b2cefe;"|Captain | style="background:#b2cefe;"|April 1991 |
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"|File:OF-1(B) Pakistan Army.svg | style="background:#e6e6aa;"|Lieutenant | style="background:#e6e6aa;"| October 1989 |
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"|10px | style="background:#e6e6aa;"|Second Lieutenant | style="background:#e6e6aa;"| October 1987 |
Awards and decorations
| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| | colspan="2" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Nishan-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}} | |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Diffa.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Baqa (1998).png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Istaqlal (2002).png|width=130}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Azm.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=10 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=20 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=30 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |
| {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=35 years Service Medal.png|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Jamhuriat Tamgha 1988.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha Pakistan.svg|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal, 2006.svg|width=130}} |
| {{ribbon devices|ribbon=Command and Staff College Quetta Centenary Medal.svg|width=130}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=UN UNOMSIL Medal with 2.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Order of Bahrain, 2nd class.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Order of the Star of Jordan - Grand Cordon.png|width=130}} |
= Foreign decorations =
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="3" style="background:#006400; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center" |Foreign Awards |
| {{flag|United Nations}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=UN UNOMSIL Medal with 2.png|width=130}} |
|---|
| {{flag|Bahrain}}
|The Order of Bahrain (2nd Class) |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Order of Bahrain, 2nd class.png|width=130}} |
| {{flag|Jordan}}
|Order of the Star of Jordan (1st Class) |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Order of the Star of Jordan - Grand Cordon.png|width=130}} |
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-end}}
{{CJCSC Pakistan}}
{{Pakistan Army template}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mirza, Sahir Shamshad}}
Category:Date of birth missing (living people)
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:20th-century Pakistani military personnel
Category:Alumni of Cranfield University
Category:Military personnel from Punjab, Pakistan
Category:People from Chakwal District
Category:Chief of the General Staff (Pakistan)
Category:Chairmen Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
Category:Pakistan Military Academy alumni
Category:Pakistan Army personnel
Category:21st-century Pakistani military personnel
Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Quetta
Category:Academic staff of Pakistan Military Academy