ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: Thirty-seven major generals were superseded by their seven colleagues who were promoted to the rank of lieutenant generals in the ongoing top level military reshuffle.

Six of the seven officers who got promotion as three-star generals Lt-Gen Syed Athar Ali, Lt-Gen Waseem Ahmed Ashraf, Lt-Gen Imtiaz Hussain, Lt-Gen Muhammad Afzal Muzaffar, Lt-Gen Hamid Rab Nawaz and Lt-Gen Muhammad Sabir belonged to 46 PMA Long Course.

The seventh officer, Maj-Gen Salahuddin of the 47 PMA Long Course, who was commissioned in the army on Nov 14, 1971, while the six got commission on Sept 19, 1971. The seven major generals were selected from a group of 115 maj-gens of the fighting arms currently serving in the army.

Sources said all the seven lt-generals had earlier been promoted to the rank of maj-gen in 2000 and were awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz Military. The newly-promoted lt-gens would now be completing their service tenure in 2008.

The promotion of the seven maj-gens has created vacancies in the GHQ, including those of the Vice Chief of the General Staff, Deputy Quarter Master General and the Deputy Chief of the General Staff. Following are the brief profiles of the Lt Gens promoted on Oct 3, 2004:

Lt-Gen Syed Athar Ali, appointed as Karachi Corps Commander, is an officer of the Punjab Regiment. He was born on June 15, 1951. Promoted as a two-star general in March 2000, Lt-Gen Athar completed 30 years of military service in September 2001 at the age of 50.

Lt-Gen Muhammad Afzal Muzaffar, Commander Multan Corps, is an officer of Artillery Regiment. Born on Jan 12, 1951, he was promoted as maj-gen in March 2000 and completed 30 years of military service in September 2001. He has replaced Lt-Gen Muhammad Akram.

Lt-Gen Hamid Rab Nawaz, Commander Quetta Corps, is an officer of the FF Regiment. Born on Nov 28, 1952, he was promoted as maj-gen in March 2000 and completed 30 years of military service in September 2001. His predecessor, Lt-Gen Shahid Hamid, has been posted as Commandant National Defence College in place of Lt-Gen Tariq Waseem Ghazi.

Lt-Gen Salahudin Satti, Commander Rawalpindi Corps, is an officer of the Punjab Regiment. Born on Oct 12, 1951, he completed 30 years of service in November 2001. He was promoted as maj-gen earlier in April 2000. His predecessor, Lt-Gen Kiyani, has been appointed as new DG ISI.

Lt-Gen Imtiaz Hussain, Director-General Weapons and Equipment, is an officer of the Sindh Regiment. Born on Dec 25, 1951, he completed 30 years of military service in September 2001.

Lt-Gen Wasim Ahmad Ashraf, the Adjutant-General, is an officer of the Baloch Regiment. Born on Oct 30, 1952, he completed 30 years of military service in September 2001.

Lt-Gen Muhammad Sabir, Commander Gujranwala Corps, is an officer of the Artillery Regiment. Born on July 14, 1952, he completed 30 years of military service in September 2001.