Sahir Shamshad Mirza


Sahir Shamshad Mirza is a retired Pakistani four star-general, who served as the last chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee appointed to the post on 27 November 2022 for a three year term. Prior to this appointment, he commanded the Rawalpindi Northern Command from 2021 to 2022. He was a well decorated officer in the army, being awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz both civilian and military.

Early life and education

Sahir was born to Shamshad Mirza in Mulhal Mughlan, a small village located in Chakwal District, Punjab. Sahir was orphaned at a young age. 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. During his assignment at Military Operations, he commanded 40th Infantry Division in Okara.

Political views

Regional stability and strategic balance

Sahir had 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.

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.

Awards and honours

On 8 December 2022, Sahir received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz 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.

Publications

  • Lieutenant Colonel Sahir Shamshad Mirza, “Subcontinental Security and Its Impact on World Security: Challenges and the Way Forward”, NDU Journal, 2009.