<P> Prior to creation of Pakistan from the partition of India on 14 August 1947, the senior military general officer commanding of the Pakistan Army were the ad - hoc appointments made by the Army Board of the British Army . </P> <P> The appointment was known as Commander - in - Chief who directly reported to the Governor - General who was also under British monarchs . The first commander - in - chiefs of the army were senior officers of the British Army who commanded the amalgamated army of British and Pakistani army officers from 1947 until 1951 . </P> <P> In 1969, the title of the army command was changed from "Commander - in - Chief" to "Chief of Staff" with President Yahya Khan acting as Commander - in - Chief and General A.H. Khan as Chief of Staff . On 20 March 1972, the post was renamed as "Chief of Army Staff" (COAS) with Lieutenant - General Tikka Khan elevated to four star rank to be appointed as army's first chief of army staff . </P> <P> The term of the superannuation was then constrained to three years in the office as opposed to four years and was made a permanent member of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee . Since 1972, there has been 10 four - star rank army generals to be appointed as chief of army staff by statue . The Prime Minister approved the nomination and appointment of the Chief of Army Staff, with President confirming the Prime Minister's appointed choosing and nomination . </P>

The first chief of staff of pak army was