ISLAMABAD: Outgoing Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza on Monday held separate farewell meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

During the meeting at the Presidency, President Zardari appreciated Gen Mirza’s professional competence and his service to the country. The President thanked him for his contributions to the national defence and wished him well in the future.

During the meeting at the PM House, PM Shehbaz lauded the professionalism of the outgoing Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and his services for the country and the nation, a press statement issued by the PM House Media Wing said.

The office of CJCSC has been abolished under the recently passed 27th Constitutional Amendment and amendments in army laws.

JMC construction

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz has directed officials concerned to accelerate work on the construction of all proposed medical treatment centres of the Jinnah Medical Complex (JMC). He expressed the hope that the project would be completed soon through collective efforts.

“This project will not only be exemplary for Pakistan but for the entire region in the field of health,” the prime minister said while chairing a meeting of the Board of Jinnah Medical Complex.

He also expressed gratitude to the Aga Khan Foundation for providing technical assistance at various stages of the construction of the Jinnah Medical Complex.

During the meeting, the JMC board thanked the prime minister for his continuous support and guidance throughout all phases of the project’s construction.

According to the briefing, rapid progress was being made on providing facilities for not only medical services at the Jinnah Medical Complex but also for international standard medical training, education and research.

To bring the complex up to global standards, modern technology, including the use of artificial intelligence and robotics, will be employed for research.

Senior officers from the board and relevant institutions attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2025