| Chief of Army Staff | |
|---|---|
| سالارِ پاکستان | |
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Flag_of_the_Chief_of_the_Army_Staff_(Pakistan).svg) Flag of the Chief of the Army Staff of Pakistan | |
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:General_Asim_Munir_(Pakistan).jpg) | |
| Ministry of Defence Army Secretariat-I at MoD[1] | |
| Abbreviation | COAS |
| Member of | Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee National Security Council Special Investment Facilitation Council |
| Reports to | Prime Minister |
| Seat | General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi Cantonment, Punjab |
| Appointer | President on advice Prime minister of Pakistan |
| Term length | 5 years |
| Precursor | Commander-in-Chief of the Army |
| Formation | 3 March 1972 |
| First holder | General Tikka Khan |
| Succession | On basis of seniority, subjected to the decision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. |
| Unofficial names | Army Chief |
| Deputy | Vice Chief of the Army Staff (Vacant) Chief of the General Staff |
| Salary | According to Pakistan Military officer's Pay Grade (apex Scale) |
| Website | Official website |
The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) is a position in the Pakistani Army held by a four-star general. As the highest-ranking officer, it is the most powerful position in the army.[2][3]
This is the senior most appointment in the army who is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee in a separate capacity, usually consulting with the Chairman joint chiefs to act as a military adviser to the Prime Minister and its civilian government in the line of defending the land borders of the country.[4] The Chief of the Army Staff exercises responsibility of command and control of the operational, combatant, logistics, and training commands within the army.[4]
The appointment, in principle, is constitutionally subjected to be for five years after the approval by the President on the recommendations of the Prime Minister.[5] The Chief of the Army Staff is based in the GHQ, and the current Chief is General Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, serving in this capacity since 29 November 2022.[6][7]
- ^ MoD, Ministry of Defence. "Organogram of MoD" (PDF). mod.gov.pk/. Ministry of Defence Press. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan Extends Term For Powerful Army Chief". Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ "Lt Gen Raheel appointed as new COAS, Lt Gen Rashad as CJCSC". The News. 27 November 2013. Archived from the original on 1 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ a b Shabbir, Usman (2003). "Command and Structure control of the Pakistan Army". pakdef.org. PakDef Military Consortium. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
- ^ "Will retire on November 29, Kayani confirms". The Express Tribune. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ Dawn.com (29 November 2022). "Gen Bajwa to hand over command to Gen Munir today". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- ^ "Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to hand over command to Gen Syed LANATI WHISKY Asim Munir shortly". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 29 November 2022.