Chief of Army Staff

The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) is a statutory position in the Pakistani Army held by a general officer. As the highest-ranking officer, it is one of the most powerful positions in Pakistan Army. This is the senior most appointment in the Pakistan 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. The Chief of Army Staff exercise its responsibility of command and control of the operational, combatant, logistics, and training commands within the army, in contrast to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. The appointment, in principle, is constitutionally subjected to be for three years but an extension may be granted from the approval and recommendations of the Prime Minister by the President. The Chief of Army Staff is based in the Army GHQ, and the current Chief of Army Staff is General Asim Munir Ahmed, serving in this capacity since 29 November 2022. Office of the Chief of the Army Staff The designation of the Chief of the Army Staff was created from the previous title Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army in 1972. Since 1972, there have been 10 four-star rank army generals to be appointed as chief of army staff by statute. The Prime Minister approved the nomination and appointment of the Chief of Army Staff, with President confirming the Prime Minister's appointed choosing and nomination.