Zahid Baloch
I met Corps Commander Rawalpindi, Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza during a diplomatic function. Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Azhar Abbas was also with him on this occasion. If Lt. Gen. Asim Munir is technically out of the army chief’s race, then Sahir Shamshad will be number one in seniority. After that comes Lt. Gen. Azhar Abbas, Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood, and Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed.
Interestingly, out of the top 6 generals in the race for Army Chief,4 are badge mates who progressed to the post of Lt. Gen. I asked Lt. Gen. Azhar Abbas how he feels about the journey from the mate to the rival. He smiled and moved forward without any comment.
Meanwhile, Sahir Shamshad made him sit on the right side of the rear seat of his car and the two generals departed from the ceremony.
Shamshad Sahir Mirza’s military career is as glorious as his personal life consists of painful moments. At a young age, his parents died in a tragic accident. At that time, there was no one else to save him from the hardships of the world. Time passed and after hard work and effort, he finally joined the Pakistan Army.
He had no one left in this world and the Pakistan Army was his only hope. Once he was asked about his family, he replied “I have no other family in this world. So my unit and fellow soldiers in Pakistan Army are my family members”.
Sahar Shamshad was also a part of the Afghan Talks between Pakistan, China Afghanistan, and America. Before being posted as Commander Rawalpindi, he was holding the responsibilities of Chief of General Staff.
Second, in the seniority list, Lieutenant General Azhar Abbas is currently the Chief of General Staff, which is considered the most important appointment after the Army Chief. Military operations and military intelligence come under your jurisdiction to General Abbas. He is also considered to be an expert in Indian affairs. He was also responsible for the implementation of the ceasefire on the Line of Control between Indian-Pakistan forces. Experience in decision-making matters is also crucial. He also got the opportunity to work with the top political leadership of Pakistan and the top leadership of Pakistan’s close friends.
Out of the top four generals, Sahir Shamshad belongs to the Sindh Regiment while General Abbas, General Nauman, and General Faiz Baloch belong to the Baloch regiment.
It is the dream of every person to reach the top position in whatever department he serves. In this journey from lieutenant to becoming a three-star general, it is now to see which of these friends takes the chief’s stick. Or the whole game will be changed. The battle of nerves is on. The decision is coming in a few days…………….
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