As Pakistan initiates a structural overhaul with the introduction of the 27th Amendment to its constitution, reports are emerging that the latest changes in the country’s defence framework put Army Chief Asim Munir at the helm of its nuclear command.
Interestingly, the operational blueprint of NSC closely mirrors the force structure of China’s People’s Liberation Army.
The China influenceAccording to CNN-News18, Pakistan’s NSC specifically leans on the operational concepts of the PLA Rocket Force.
The restructuring aims to establish a joint operational command—spanning the Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Command—to enhance strategic deterrence along Pakistan’s eastern border.
The Pakistani Army has also paused its routine Formation Commanders’ Conferences since 2024, reflecting a centralisation of decision-making within the senior leadership.
As Pakistan initiates a structural overhaul with the introduction of the 27th Amendment to its constitution, reports are emerging that the latest changes in the country’s defence framework put Army Chief Asim Munir at the helm of its nuclear command.
Under the latest legislative amendments, Pakistan is establishing the National Strategic Command (NSC), which would assume the operational oversight of the nation’s strategic assets and nuclear arsenal, centralising authority under a unified military hierarchy, CNN-News18 reported.
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The move effectively bypasses the traditional civilian-led National Command Authority (NCA) framework, leaving prime ministerial oversight “strictly informational rather than operational.” As per the report, the latest overhaul is driven by Field Marshal Munir in his dual-hatted role as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).
Under the latest framework, Lieutenant General Syed Aamer Raza, former Chief of the General Staff, has been elevated to four-star General and appointed as the inaugural Commander of the National Strategic Command, according to CNN-News18. Interestingly, the operational blueprint of NSC closely mirrors the force structure of China’s People’s Liberation Army.
The China influence
According to CNN-News18, Pakistan’s NSC specifically leans on the operational concepts of the PLA Rocket Force. The body is supported by the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) and consolidates the management of nuclear stockpiles, delivery systems, and missile development under a single centralised command.
The restructuring aims to establish a joint operational command—spanning the Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Command—to enhance strategic deterrence along Pakistan’s eastern border. The body would also focus on deepening defence-industrial and technological integration with Beijing, CNN-News18 reported.
As per the report, the high-level consolidation of authority has also altered the conventional career progression within the Pakistani Armed Forces. Promotion boards across senior officer cadres have remained deferred for over 15 months amid the systemic restructuring of service commands.
The Pakistani Army has also paused its routine Formation Commanders’ Conferences since 2024, reflecting a centralisation of decision-making within the senior leadership. Apart from this, there has been a realignment of operational control under the Office of the Chief of Defence Forces, diminishing the traditional autonomy held by senior regional Corps Commanders.
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