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Commander National Strategic Command General Syed Aamer Raza has been conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military), one of Pakistan’s highest military honours. President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the prestigious award on General Syed Aamer Raza during a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the chiefs of the armed services attended the ceremony. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the chairman of the Senate, federal ministers and other senior government officials were also present. The ceremony was held to recognise General Aamer Raza’s services and contributions in his capacity as Commander National Strategic Command. General Raza has previously received two major military honours, the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and the Sitara-i-Basalat. Before his latest appointment, he was serving as Chief of General Staff. The position is considered one of the Pakistan Army’s key operational assignments. During his tenure, he was involved in implementing organisational changes following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. He also oversaw restructuring within the military after last year’s conflict with India. The changes included the creation of the Army Rocket Force Command, as part of efforts to strengthen the army’s organisational and operational capabilities. General Raza began his military career as a cavalry officer. He trained at the Officers Training School and was commissioned into the 6th Lancers in 1988. Over the course of his career, he held several important command positions. These included command of an armoured regiment and an armoured brigade. He also commanded an infantry brigade in South Waziristan. Later, he served as the commander of an infantry division. His senior field appointments included command of Lahore-based IV Corps, one of the Pakistan Army’s major corps formations. General Raza has also held a number of important institutional and staff positions. He headed Heavy Industries Taxila, a major defence production organisation. He also served as Director General of Weapons and Equipment. In another senior assignment, he worked as Chief of Staff at II Corps. His professional background has largely focused on conventional military operations, command responsibilities and force development. Unlike some senior officers associated with Pakistan’s strategic institutions, General Raza has not served in the Strategic Plans Division or the Army Strategic Forces Command. He has also not held an appointment directly linked to the country’s strategic missile programme.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has demanded the immediate transfer of party founder Imran Khan to a hospital after a medical report highlighted concerns over his blood pressure and anxiety. The demand came after a report from Adiala Jail authorities was submitted to the Supreme Court. The report contains details of Imran Khan’s latest medical condition and recommendations for his care. PTI leaders held a press conference on Monday and expressed concern over the former prime minister’s health. They called for him to be moved to a hospital where he could receive specialised medical treatment. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said Imran Khan’s elevated blood pressure was a serious concern. He demanded that the former prime minister receive the best available medical care. Gohar said Imran Khan should also be given access to his personal doctors. He demanded that his family members and lawyers should be allowed to meet him. The PTI chairman said access to Imran Khan had remained restricted for months. He claimed that party representatives had repeatedly approached the courts seeking permission for meetings. According to Gohar, the PTI had approached the high court around 25 times and the Supreme Court around 15 times over the issue. He described meetings with family members, doctors and lawyers as Imran Khan’s fundamental legal right. He urged the judiciary to address the matter and ensure that the former prime minister received appropriate medical attention. Gohar said the party’s concerns would not end until Imran Khan was provided proper medical treatment and regular access to his family and legal team. He also criticised what he described as a prolonged dispute over access to the PTI founder. Gohar said the situation had continued since October and called for an end to what he termed a “cat and mouse game”. The PTI’s demands came shortly before the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear matters concerning Imran Khan. The jail report had recommended increasing family interaction to help manage his anxiety and blood pressure. It also contained details of his medical examinations and treatment. PTI leaders argued that the reported health concerns should be treated seriously and that hospitalisation would ensure closer medical supervision. The party has also continued to call for access to Imran Khan’s personal physicians, saying they should be allowed to assess his condition independently. The issue of Imran Khan’s health has become a major political and legal point of contention. PTI leaders have repeatedly raised concerns over his medical care and restrictions on meetings.