Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza pays farewell visit to President Zardari

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza on Monday paid a farewell visit to President Asif Ali Zardari, marking the end of a chapter in Pakistan’s military leadership.

During the meeting, President Zardari paid a tribute to General Mirza’s professionalism and his steadfast dedication to national defence. The president praised Mirza’s “professional skills” and expressed deep appreciation for his service, saying it played a vital role in safeguarding Pakistan’s security.

According to the official release from the President’s Office, Zardari conveyed his “complete confidence” in the armed forces’ ability to face both internal and external challenges.

General Mirza, in turn, briefed the president about the armed forces’ operational readiness and the security landscape of the country. He emphasized that Pakistan’s military has the capacity to deal effectively with a broad range of security threats — a point that resonated strongly in the current regional context.

The two leaders underlined a shared commitment to rooting out terrorism and strengthening the nation’s resolve against extremism — a mission they said required unity across all sectors of Pakistani society. President Zardari also offered his best wishes to General Mirza as he prepares to retire. 

As General Mirza’s tenure nears its end, his farewell call with President Zardari stands as a powerful testament to his service — and to the high regard in which he is held by Pakistan’s civilian leadership.