ISLAMABAD – The retirement of Pakistan’s last Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, remained in news and now the former top general has been hit by disinformation campaign.
False claims from Indian media said decorated four-star general has got Canadian citizenship are spreading like wildfire, sparking outrage.
The scandalous rumours appear to have originated from unverified local accounts from India, and were rapidly spread by Hindutvai inspired youth. Sources, however, dismiss claims as a deliberate smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the reputation of one of Pakistan’s most respected military leaders.
“The claim of Canadian citizenship is completely baseless,” said a senior defence analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity. “A four-star general holding one of the highest offices in Pakistan’s military cannot legally hold dual nationality.
General Mirza’s retirement on November 27, 2025, coincided with a historic restructuring of Pakistan’s military command. With the passing of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the CJCSC position was abolished and replaced by the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) role, now held by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
In his 4 decades of service, General Mirza remained at key position. He was from 8th Sind Regiment (1987) and served as Director General Military Operations (DG MO) and Chief of General Staff (CGS). Mirza presided over a tumultuous period marked by the infamous May 9, 2025, unrest, though allegations linking him to coup prevention remain unconfirmed.
The misinformation wave didn’t stop at social media. Indian news outlets quickly picked up the story, publishing sensationalist headlines suggesting the retired general was “fleeing Pakistan” or “settling in Canada.”
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