At the Presidential House, President Zardari lauded General Mirza’s professionalism and leadership, praising his services to national defence and wishing him well in his future endeavours.

Earlier, General Mirza met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who commended his vision, leadership, and dedication during his three-year tenure.

“His exemplary professionalism and contributions to the nation will always be remembered,” a statement from the PM House Media Wing said.

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza will retire as the 18th and final Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The post has been abolished under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, and no new chairman will be appointed in the future.

His tenure marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in Pakistan’s military leadership.

The longest-serving chairman was the late General Iqbal Khan, who held the office for three years and 344 days.

Pakistan’s first Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was General Muhammad Sharif, who was appointed by then-prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on March 1, 1976.

Admiral Muhammad Sharif and Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey were the only chairmen from the Navy, while Air Chief Marshal Farooq Feroze Khan was the only officer from the Pakistan Air Force to have served in the role.

Following the abolition of the chairman’s post under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, Field Marshal General Asim Munir will assume the newly created position of “Chief of Defence Forces,” considered a significant new chapter in the country’s military leadership structure.