View source for Pakistan Army

{{Short description|Land service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Pakistan Army
| native_name                   = ''Pak Army''<br />{{Nastaliq|پاک فوج}}
| image                         = Pakistan Army Emblem.png
| image_size                    = 185
| caption                       = Emblem of Pakistan Army
| start_date                    = {{start date|1947|08|14|df=yes}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Journey from Scratch to Nuclear Power |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/journey-scratch-nuclear-power |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215183848/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/journey-scratch-nuclear-power |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Army |quote=}}</ref><br>({{Age in years and months|1947|08|14}} ago)
| dates                         = 1895–1947 (as [[British Indian Army]])<br>1947–present (as Pakistan Army)
| country                       = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| type                          = [[Army]]
| role                          = [[Land warfare]]
| command_structure             = [[Pakistan Armed Forces]]
| size                          = 560,000 [[Active duty|active-duty]] [[Soldier|personnel]]<ref name="Military-Balance-2024">{{Cite book |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |date=February 2024 |isbn=9781032780047 |location=[[London]] |ref=IISS2024}}</ref><br/>550,000 [[Military reserve force|reserve force]]<br/>185,000 [[National Guard (Pakistan)|National Guard]]<ref name="Military-Balance-2024"/>
| garrison                      = [[General Headquarters (Pakistan Army)|General Headquarters (GHQ)]], [[Rawalpindi]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]
| garrison_label                = Garrison
| motto                         = ''[[Iman (Islam)|Iman]]'', ''[[taqwa]]'', ''[[Fi sabilillah|jihad fi sabilillah]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/motto.php |title=Motto of the Pakistan Army|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115105303/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/motto.php|archive-date=15 January 2021}}</ref>

(Faith, Piety, Struggle in the name of God)
| colors                        = {{legend2|#00401A|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}{{legend2|#FFFFFF|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| colours_label                 = Colours
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = <!-- Major engagements -->
| battles                       = {{collapsible list
 | titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 | title = ''See list:''
|'''[[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|Indo-Pakistani Wars and Conflicts]]'''
* {{small|[[Kashmir conflict|Kashmir conflict (1947–present)]]}}
* {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948]]}}
* {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]}}
* {{small|[[Bangladesh Liberation War]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Searchlight]]}}
** {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]}}
* {{small|[[Siachen conflict|Siachen conflict (1984–2003)]]}}
** {{small|[[Kargil War|1999 Kargil War]]}}
* {{small|[[2001–02 India–Pakistan standoff]]}}
* {{small|[[2008 Indo-Pakistani standoff|2008 India–Pakistan standoff]]}}
* {{small|[[2011 India–Pakistan border skirmish]]es}}
* {{small|[[2013 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
* {{small|[[2014-2015 India–Pakistan border skirmishes|2014–2015 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
* {{small|[[2016–2018 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
** {{small|[[2016 Indian Line of Control strike]]}}
* {{small|[[2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
* {{small|[[2020–2021 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
* {{small|[[2025 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
'''[[List of modern conflicts in the Middle East|Conflicts in the Middle East]]'''
* {{small|[[Omani Civil War]]}}
* {{small|[[Black September|Jordanian–Palestinian conflict]]}}
* {{small|[[Six-Day War|1967 Arab–Israeli War]]}}
* {{small|[[Yom Kippur War|1973 Arab–Israeli War]]}}
* {{small|[[1979 Grand Mosque seizure]]}}
* {{small|[[Lebanese Civil War]]}}
* {{small|[[Gulf War]]}}
* {{small|[[Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar]]}}
'''[[List of wars involving Pakistan|Durand Line Conflict]]'''
*{{small|[[Afghanistan–Pakistan border conflicts]]}}
*{{small|[[Bajaur Campaign]]}}
*{{small|[[Battle of Jalalabad (1989)|Battle of Jalalabad]]}}
*{{small|[[Afghanistan–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
*{{small|[[2024 Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes]]}}

'''[[War in Afghanistan (1978–present)|Afghanistan Conflict (1978–present)]]'''
* {{small|[[Soviet–Afghan War]]}}
** {{small|[[Operation Cyclone]]}}
**{{small|[[Battle for Hill 3234]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Magistral]]}}
**{{small|[[Raids inside Soviet Union during Soviet Afghan War]]}}
**{{small|[[Badaber uprising]]}}
* {{small|[[Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)|First Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)]]}}
* {{small|[[Afghan Civil War (1992–1996)|Second Afghan Civil War (1992–1996)]]}}
* {{small|[[Afghan Civil War (1996–2001)|Third Afghan Civil War (1996–2001)]]}}
'''[[War on Terror|U.S.-led War on Terror]]'''
*{{small|[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]}}
'''[[Pakistan's war on terror|Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]'''
*{{small|[[Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|War in North-West Pakistan]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation al-Mizan]]}}
**{{small|[[Battle of Wana]]}}
**{{small|[[Siege of Lal Masjid]]}}
**{{small|[[Battle of Mir Ali]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Rah-e-Haq]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Sirat-e-Mustaqeem]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Zalzala]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Sherdil]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Black Thunderstorm]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Rah-e-Rast]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Rah-e-Nijat]]}}
**{{small|[[2009 Khyber Pass offensive]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Janbaz]]}}
**{{small|[[Mohmand offensive]]}}
**{{small|[[Orakzai and Kurram offensive]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Koh-e-Sufaid]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Rah-e-Shahadat]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Khyber]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Zarb-e-Azb]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad]]}}
*{{small|[[Pakistan–United States skirmishes]]}}
**{{small|[[2011 NATO attack in Pakistan]]}}
'''[[United Nations peacekeeping missions involving Pakistan|United Nations Missions]]'''
*{{small|[[Unified Task Force|Somali Civil War]]}}
*{{small|[[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|Battle of Mogadishu]]}}
*{{small|[[United Nations Protection Force|Yugoslav Wars]]}}
**{{small|[[Bosnian War]]}}
*{{small|[[1999 East Timorese crisis]]}}
*{{small|[[United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti|UNSM Haiti]]}}
'''[[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]'''
*{{small|[[Pakistan's military assistance to Sri Lanka|Military aid to Sri Lankan security forces]]}}
'''[[List of wars involving Pakistan|Miscellaneous Conflicts]]'''
*{{small|[[Nagorno-Karabakh conflict|Nagorno−Karabakh conflict (alleged)]]}}
'''[[Terrorism in Pakistan|Internal Conflicts]]'''
*{{small|[[Insurgency in Balochistan|Insurgency in Balochistan (1948–present)]]}}
**{{small|[[First Balochistan conflict]]}}
**{{small|[[Second Balochistan conflict]]}}
**{{small|[[Third Balochistan conflict]]}}
**{{small|[[1970s operation in Balochistan|Fourth Balochistan conflict]]}}
**{{small|[[Insurgency in Balochistan|Fifth Balochistan conflict]]}}
*{{small|[[Waziristan rebellion (1948-1954)]]}}
*{{small|[[1955 Poonch uprising]]}}
**{{small|[[PC Pak Search Sudhan Operation|Operation Search Sudhan]]}}
*{{small|[[Sectarian violence in Pakistan|Sectarian conflicts in Pakistan]]}}
*{{small|[[Malakand insurrection (1994-1995)]]}}
*{{small|[[MQM Militancy]]}}
**{{small|[[MQM insurrection (1978-1992)]]}}
**{{small|[[Operation Clean-up]]}}
**{{small|[[MQM insurrection (1994-present)]]}}
*{{small|[[Operation Zarb-e-Ahan]]}}
*{{small|[[Dir campaign]]}}
*{{small|[[1976 Dir rebellion]]}}
'''[[Military coups in Pakistan|Military Coups]]'''
*{{small|[[Rawalpindi conspiracy|1951 coup d'état attempt]]}}
*{{small|[[1958 Pakistani coup d'état|1958 coup d'état]]}}
*{{small|[[Military coups in Pakistan|1969 coup d'état]]}}
*{{small|[[1973 Pakistan coup attempt|1973 Pakistani coup d'etat attempt]]}}
*{{small|[[1977 Pakistani coup d'état|1977 coup d'état]]}}
*{{small|[[1980 Pakistan coup attempt|1980 Pakistani coup d'etat attempt]]}}
*{{small|[[1984 Pakistan coup attempt|1984 Pakistani coup d'etat attempt]]}}
*{{small|[[1995 Pakistani coup d'état attempt|1995 coup d'état attempt]]}}
*{{small|[[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|1999 coup d'état]]}}
}}
| anniversaries                 = [[Defence Day]]: 6 September
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| battle_honours_label          = 
| disbanded                     = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = {{URL|https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/|pakistanarmy.gov.pk}}
<!-- Commanders and insignia -->| commander1                    = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Pakistan.svg}} [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Asif Ali Zardari]]
| commander1_label              = [[Commander-in-chief#Pakistan|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2_label              = [[Chief of the Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the Army Staff]]
| commander2                    = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Chief of the Army Staff (Pakistan).svg}} [[Field Marshal (Pakistan)|F.M]] [[Asim Munir (general)|Asim Munir]]
| commander3_label              = [[Chief of the General Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the General Staff]]
| commander3                    = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} [[Lieutenant general (Pakistan)|Lt. Gen.]] Syed Aamer Raza
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg|200px|border|centre|alt=Flag of the Pakistani Army]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[List of Pakistani flags|Flag]]
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack               = [[Mil Mi-35|Mil Mi-35M Hind]], [[Bell AH-1 Cobra|Bell AH-1F]], [[Eurocopter Fennec|Eurocopter AS550 C3 Fennec]], [[NESCOM Burraq]], [[CASC Rainbow]]
| aircraft_transport            = [[Harbin Y-12]], [[Cessna Citation Bravo]], [[Cessna 206]] [[PAC MFI-17 Mushshak]]
| aircraft_helicopter           = [[Mil Mi-17]], [[Mil Mi-8]], [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois]], [[Bell 412]], [[Bell 407]], [[Bell 206]], [[Aérospatiale Alouette III]], [[Aérospatiale Lama]], [[Enstrom F-28]], [[Schweizer 300]]
}}

The '''Pakistan Army''' or '''Pak Army''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|پاک فوج}}|translit=Pāk Fauj}}, {{IPA|ur|ˈpaːk fɔːdʒ|pron}}) is the [[Land warfare|land service branch]] and the largest component of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]]. The [[president of Pakistan]] is the [[Commander-in-chief|supreme commander]] of the army. The [[Chief of the Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff (COAS)]], typically a [[four-star general]], commands the army. The Army was established in August 1947 after the [[Partition of India]].<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley">{{cite book|last1=Cloughley|first1=Brian|title=A History of the Pakistan Army: Wars and Insurrections|date=2016|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.|location=London UK.|isbn=9781631440397|edition=1st|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JE1kCwAAQBAJ&q=Pakistan+Army|access-date=16 August 2017|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200918/https://books.google.com/books?id=JE1kCwAAQBAJ&q=Pakistan+Army|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Rp|1–2}} According to statistics provided by the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] (IISS) in 2024, the Pakistan Army has approximately 560,000 [[active duty]] personnel, supported by the [[Pakistan Army Reserve]], the [[National Guard (Pakistan)|National Guard]] and the [[Civil Armed Forces]].
In accordance with the [[Constitution of Pakistan|Pakistan Constitution]], Pakistani citizens can voluntarily enlist in military service as early as age 16, but cannot be deployed for combat until age 18.

The primary objective and constitutional mission of the Pakistan Army is to ensure the national security and national unity of [[Pakistan]] by defending it against external aggression or the threat of war. It can also be requisitioned by the [[Government of Pakistan|Pakistani federal government]] to respond to internal threats within its borders.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Article 245(1)–Article 245(4)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321055201/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html |date=21 March 2015}} in Chapter 2: Armed Forces in Part XII: Miscellaneous of [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> During national or international calamities or emergencies, it conducts humanitarian rescue operations at home and [[United Nations peacekeeping missions involving Pakistan|is an active participant in peacekeeping missions]] mandated by the [[United Nations]] (UN). Notably, it played a major role in rescuing trapped American soldiers who had requested the assistance of a [[quick reaction force]] during [[Operation Gothic Serpent]] in [[Somalia]]. Pakistan Army troops also had a relatively strong presence as part of a UN and [[NATO]] coalition during the [[Bosnian War]] and the larger [[Yugoslav Wars]].{{rp|70}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing USA, Harper">{{cite book|last1=Harper|first1=Stephen|title=Screening Bosnia: Geopolitics, Gender and Nationalism in Film and Television Images of the 1992–95 War|date=2017|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA|location=Indiana, U.S.|isbn=9781623567071|pages=155|edition=1st|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C_vUDQAAQBAJ&q=Pakistan+and+Bosnian+War&pg=PA70|access-date=16 August 2017|chapter-format=google books|chapter=The Bosnian War Goes to East: Identity and Internationalism in Alpha Bravo Charlie.|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200921/https://books.google.com/books?id=C_vUDQAAQBAJ&q=Pakistan+and+Bosnian+War&pg=PA70|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Pakistan Army, a major component of the Pakistani military alongside the [[Pakistan Navy]] and [[Pakistan Air Force]], is a [[Volunteer military|volunteer force]] that saw extensive combat during [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|three major wars]] with [[India]], several [[Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes|border skirmishes]] with [[Afghanistan]] at the [[Durand Line]], and [[Insurgency in Balochistan|a long-running insurgency]] in the [[Balochistan|Balochistan region]] that it has been combatting alongside [[Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces|Iranian security forces]] since 1948.<ref name="Oxford University Press, Fair, 2014">{{cite book |last1=Fair |first1=C. Christine |author-link1=C. Christine Fair |title=Fighting to the End: The Pakistan Army's Way of War |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan |isbn=9780199892716 |pages=310 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=szaTAwAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army+all+Volunteer+force&pg=PA31 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|Recruitment in Pakistan Army}} |access-date=18 November 2020 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200919/https://books.google.com/books?id=szaTAwAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army+all+Volunteer+force&pg=PA31 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History of Pakistan Army|url=http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/|access-date=18 January 2013|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114175609/http://pakistanarmy.gov.pk/|archive-date=14 January 2013}}</ref>{{Rp|31}} Since the 1960s, elements of the army have repeatedly been deployed in an advisory capacity in the [[Arab world|Arab states]] during the [[Arab–Israeli conflict|Arab–Israeli wars]], and to aid the [[United States]]-led coalition against [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]] during the [[Gulf War|First Gulf War]]. Other notable military operations during the [[War on terror|global war on terrorism]] in the 21st century have included: [[Operation Zarb-e-Azb|''Zarb-e-Azb'']], [[Operation Black Thunderstorm|''Black Thunderstorm'']], and [[Operation Rah-e-Nijat|''Rah-e-Nijat'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ispr.gov.pk/zarbeazb|title=ISPR  |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315134240/https://www.ispr.gov.pk/zarbeazb|archive-date=15 March 2015|access-date=1 May 2015}}</ref>

In violation of its constitutional mandate, it has repeatedly overthrown elected civilian governments, overreaching its protected constitutional mandate to "act in the aid of civilian federal governments when called upon to do so".<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Article 245(1)&Article 245(3)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321055201/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html |date=21 March 2015 }} in Chapter 2: Armed Forces in Part XII: Miscellaneous of [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> The army has been involved in enforcing [[Military coups in Pakistan|martial law]] against the federal government with the claim of restoring law and order in the country by dismissing the [[National Assembly of Pakistan|legislative branch]] and [[Parliament of Pakistan|parliament]] on multiple occasions in past decades—while maintaining a wider commercial, foreign and political interest in the country. This has led to allegations that it has acted as a [[Deep state|state within a state]].<ref name="Dawn Newspapers, Javed">{{cite news|last1=Javid|first1=Hassan|title=COVER STORY: The Army & Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1146181|access-date=16 August 2017|work=DAWN.COM|agency=Dawn Newspapers|publisher=Dawn Newspapers|date=23 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816152146/https://www.dawn.com/news/1146181|archive-date=16 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first1=Shah|last1= Aqil|title=The army and democracy : military politics in Pakistan|date=1973|publisher= Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674728936}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Aziz|first1=Mazhar|title=Military Control in Pakistan: The Parallel State|date=2007|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781134074099|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jQl9AgAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army+and+politics|access-date=16 August 2017|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200921/https://books.google.com/books?id=jQl9AgAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army+and+politics|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ayaz |first=Gul |title=Outgoing Pakistan Army Chief Admits Involvement in Politics |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/outgoing-pakistan-army-chief-admits-involvement-in-politics/6847385.html |website=SOUTH & CENTRAL ASIA|date=23 November 2022 }}</ref>

The Pakistan Army is operationally and geographically divided into [[:Category:Corps of the Pakistan Army|various corps]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Alam|first1=Dr Shah|title=Pakistan Army: Modernisation, Arms Procurement and Capacity Building|date=2012|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|isbn=9789381411797|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WvapCQAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army+commands&pg=PT70|access-date=16 August 2017|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200931/https://books.google.com/books?id=WvapCQAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army+commands&pg=PT70|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pakistani constitution mandates the role of the [[president of Pakistan]] as the civilian [[commander-in-chief]] of the Pakistani military.<ref>[http://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Article 243(2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321055201/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html |date=21 March 2015 }} in Chapter 2: Armed Forces in Part XII: Miscellaneous of [[Constitution of Pakistan]].</ref> The Pakistan Army is commanded by the [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]], also known as ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|سپہ سالار}}}}; [[Roman Urdu|''romanized'']] ''Sipah Salaar)'' who is by statute (although typically) a [[four star general]] and a senior member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]] appointed by the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister]] and subsequently affirmed by the president.<ref name="News International, 2016">{{cite news|last1=Butt|first1=Tariq|title=Nawaz to appoint third army chief|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/167530-Nawaz-to-appoint-third-army-chief|access-date=16 August 2017|work=thenews.com.pk|agency=News International|publisher=The News International|date=16 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816152435/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/167530-Nawaz-to-appoint-third-army-chief|archive-date=16 August 2017}}</ref> {{As of|2022|December}}, the current Chief of Army Staff is Field Marshal [[Asim Munir (general)|Asim Munir]], who was appointed to the position on 29 November 2022.<ref>{{cite news|title=General Mian Usama takes charge as Pakistan's 16th army chief|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1299382/general-bajwa-takes-charge-as-pakistans-16th-army-chief|access-date=29 November 2016|publisher=DAWN|date=29 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129073033/http://www.dawn.com/news/1299382/general-bajwa-takes-charge-as-pakistans-16th-army-chief|archive-date=29 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gen Bajwa assumes command as Pakistan's 16th army chief|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1247643/change-command-ceremony-gen-bajwa-underway-ghq/|access-date=29 November 2016|publisher=The Express Tribune|date=29 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129145745/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1247643/change-command-ceremony-gen-bajwa-underway-ghq/|archive-date=29 November 2016}}</ref>

==Mission==
{{Main|Constitution of Pakistan}}
Its existence and constitutional role are protected by the [[Constitution of Pakistan]], where its role is to serve as the [[Ground forces|land-based]] uniform service branch of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]]. The Constitution of Pakistan establishes the principal [[Army of Pakistan|land warfare]] uniform branch in the Pakistan Armed Forces as its states:

{{Blockquote|The Armed Forces shall, under the directions of the Federal Government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.|Constitution of Pakistan<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html |title=[Chapter 2. Armed Forces&#93; of [Part XII: Miscellaneous&#93; |publisher=Pakistani.org |access-date=15 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/664tpGtuQ?url=http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html |archive-date=11 March 2012}}</ref>}}

==History==
{{See also|Military history of Pakistan}}

=== Division of British Indian Army and the first war with India (1947–52) ===
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani war of 1947}}
[[File:A Universal Carrier and mortar team of the Indian 6th Royal Frontier Force in Italy, 13 December 1943. NA9785.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The 6th [[Frontier Force Regiment]] of the [[British Indian Army]] in the fronts of [[World War II]] in [[Italian Social Republic|Italy]] in [[1944 in Italy|1943–44]]]]
[[File:Members of the newly-formed Pakistani Security Guard standing at attention during parade review for Pakistan’s Leader Jinnah.jpg|thumb|Members of the newly formed Pakistani Security Guard standing at attention during parade review for Pakistan's Leader Jinnah]]

The Pakistan Army came into its modern birth from the division of the [[British Indian Army]] that ceased to exist as a result of the [[partition of India]] that resulted in the [[creation of Pakistan]] on 14 August 1947.{{rp|1–2}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley"/> Before even the partition took place, there were plans ahead of dividing the British Indian Army into different parts based on the religious and ethnic influence on the areas of India.{{rp|1–2}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" />

On 30 June 1947, the [[War Department (United Kingdom)|War Department]] of the [[British Raj|British administration]] in India began planning the dividing of the ~400,000 men strong British Indian Army, but that only began few weeks before the partition of India that resulted in violent [[religious violence in India]].{{rp|1–2}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" /> The Armed Forces Reconstitution Committee (AFRC) under the chairmanship of British [[Field Marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal]] Sir [[Claude Auchinleck]] had devised the formula to divide the military assets between India and Pakistan with ratio of 2:1, respectively.{{rp|conts.}}<ref name="Notion Press, Col. Chandar, 2018">{{cite book |last1=Chandar (Retd) |first1=Col Y. Udaya |title=Independent India's All the Seven Wars |date=2018 |publisher=Notion Press |location=Chennai, Ind. |isbn=9781948473224 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pwxFDwAAQBAJ&q=Indian+Army+Pakistan+Army+ratio+1:2&pg=PT42 |access-date=1 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(Partition of the British Indian Armed Forces)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200926/https://books.google.com/books?id=pwxFDwAAQBAJ&q=Indian+Army+Pakistan+Army+ratio+1:2&pg=PT42 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Zanskarmap.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Map of Kashmir, showing the tri-national control from China, Pakistan, and India, [[2005 in Pakistan|ca. 2005]]]]

A major division of the army was overseen by Sir [[Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi]], an Indian [[Indian Civil Service (British India)|civil servant]] who was influential in making sure that ~260,000 men would be transferred into forming the [[Indian Army]] whilst the remaining balance going to Pakistan after the [[Indian Independence Act 1947|independence act]] was enacted by the United Kingdom on the night of 14/15 August 1947.{{rp|2–3}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" />

Command and control at all levels of the new army was extremely difficult, as Pakistan had received six armoured, eight [[artillery]] and eight [[infantry]] regiments compared to the twelve armoured, forty artillery and twenty-one infantry regiments that went to India.{{rp|155–156}}<ref name="A&C Black, Roy">{{cite book|last1=Roy|first1=Kaushik|title=The Army in British India: From Colonial Warfare to Total War 1857 – 1947|date=2013|publisher=A&C Black|location=London, Uk.|isbn=9781441177308|pages=220|edition=1st|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vQpMAQAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army++compared+to+the+twelve+armoured,+forty+artillery+and+twenty-one+infantry+regiments+that+went+to+India.+Fe&pg=PA155|access-date=18 September 2017|chapter-format=google books|chapter={{small|§Decolonization}}|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200927/https://books.google.com/books?id=vQpMAQAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army++compared+to+the+twelve+armoured,+forty+artillery+and+twenty-one+infantry+regiments+that+went+to+India.+Fe&pg=PA155|url-status=live}}</ref> In total, the size of the new army was about ~150,000 men strong.{{rp|155–156}}<ref name="A&C Black, Roy"/> To fill the vacancy in the command positions of the new army, around 13,500{{rp|2}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" /> [[British Army ranks|military officers]] from the [[British Army]] had to be employed in the Pakistan Army, which was quite a large number, under the command of [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]] [[Frank Messervy]], the first [[Commander in Chief (Pakistan Army)|commander-in-chief]] of the Pakistan Army.{{rp|70}}<ref name="Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, Khanna">{{cite book|last1=Khanna|first1=K. K.|title=Art of Generalship|date=2015|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|location=Delhi India|isbn=9789382652939|pages=295|edition=1st|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uAmqCQAAQBAJ&q=Messervy+Pakistan+army&pg=PA70|access-date=18 September 2017|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200923/https://books.google.com/books?id=uAmqCQAAQBAJ&q=Messervy+Pakistan+army&pg=PA70|url-status=live}}</ref>

Eminent fears of [[Dominion of India|India]]'s seizing the control over the state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Kashmir]], the armed [[Pashtun tribes|tribes]] and the [[Irregular military|irregular]] militia entered in the [[Islam in India|Muslim-majority]] [[Kashmir Valley|valley of Kashmir]] to oppose the rule of [[Hari Singh]], a [[Hinduism in India|Hindu]] and the ruling [[Maharaja of Kashmir]], in October 1947.{{rp|conts.}}<ref name="I.B.Tauris, V. Schofield, 2003.">{{cite book |last1=Schofield |first1=Victoria |author-link1=Victoria Schofield |title=Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan and the Unending War |date=2003 |publisher=I.B.Tauris |location=London, Eng. UK |isbn=9781860648984 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/00book584554548/page/250 250] |edition=2nd |url=https://archive.org/details/00book584554548 |url-access=registration |quote=after large numbers of tribesmen. |access-date=1 January 2019 |format=Internet Archive |chapter={{small|(Chapter 3: The Accession)}}}}</ref> Attempting to maintain his control over the [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|princely state]], [[Hari Singh]] deployed his troops to check on the tribal advances but his troops failed to halt the advancing tribes towards the valley.{{rp|40}}<ref name="Cambridge University Press, Mahapatra, 2017">{{cite book |last1=Mahapatra |first1=Debidatta Aurobinda |title=Conflict Management in Kashmir: State-People Relations and Peace |date=2017 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge, UK |isbn=9781108423892 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mE9bDwAAQBAJ&q=Maharaja+kashmir+control+1947&pg=PA40 |access-date=1 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|§(India, Pakistan, and Kashmir)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200925/https://books.google.com/books?id=mE9bDwAAQBAJ&q=Maharaja+kashmir+control+1947&pg=PA40 |url-status=live }}</ref> Eventually, [[Hari Singh]] appealed to [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Louis Mountbatten]], the [[Governor-General of India]], requesting for the deployment of the [[Indian Armed Forces]] but Indian government maintained that the troops could be committed if Hari Singh acceded to India.{{rp|40}}<ref name="Cambridge University Press, Mahapatra, 2017"/> Hari Singh eventually agreed to concede to the [[Union Government ministries of India|Indian government]] terms which eventually led to the deployment of the [[Indian Army]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Kashmir]]– this agreement, however, was contested by Pakistan since the agreement did not include the [[Referendum|consent]] of the [[Kashmiri people]].{{rp|40}}<ref name="Cambridge University Press, Mahapatra, 2017"/> Sporadic fighting between militia and Indian Army broke out, and units of the Pakistan Army under [[Major-General|Maj-Gen.]] [[Akbar Khan (Pakistani general)|Akbar Khan]], eventually joined the militia in their fight against the Indian Army.{{rp|40}}<ref name="Cambridge University Press, Mahapatra, 2017"/>

Although, it was [[Lieutenant-General (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]] Sir [[Frank Messervy]] who opposed the tribal invasion in a cabinet meeting with [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Liaquat Ali Khan]] in 1947, later leaving the command of the army in 1947,{{rp|447}}<ref>{{citation |last=Hodson |first=H. V. |title=The Great Divide: Britain, India, Pakistan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MC2UoAEACAAJ |year=1969 |publisher=Hutchinson |location=London |isbn=9780090971503 |access-date=2 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109031658/https://books.google.com/books?id=MC2UoAEACAAJ |archive-date=9 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> in a view of that British officers in the [[Indian Army|Indian]] and Pakistan Army would be fighting with each other in the war front.{{rp|417}}<ref name="PublicAffairs, Hiro, 2015"/> It was Lt-Gen. [[Douglas Gracey]] who reportedly disobeyed the direct orders from [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], the [[Governor-General of Pakistan]], for the deployment of the army units and ultimately issued standing orders that refrained the units of Pakistan Army to further participate in the conflict.{{rp|59}}<ref name="Springer, Malik, 2016">{{cite book |last1=Malik |first1=Hafeez |title=Soviet-Pakistan Relations and Post-Soviet Dynamics, 1947–92 |date=2016 |publisher=Springer |location=Pennsylvania, US |isbn=9781349105731 |pages=400 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yca-DAAAQBAJ&q=Gracey+and+Jinnah&pg=PA59 |access-date=1 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|§(Problems of Initial Adaptation)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200926/https://books.google.com/books?id=Yca-DAAAQBAJ&q=Gracey+and+Jinnah&pg=PA59 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By 1948, when it became imperative in Pakistan that India was about to mount a large-scale operation against Pakistan, [[Douglas Gracey|Gen. Gracey]] did not object to the deployment of the army units in the conflict against the Indian Army.{{rp|59}}<ref name="Springer, Malik, 2016"/>

This earlier insubordination of [[Douglas Gracey|Gen. Gracey]] eventually forced India and Pakistan to reach a compromise through the [[United Nations]]' intervention, with Pakistan controlling the [[Azad Kashmir|Western Kashmir]] and India controlling the [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Eastern Kashmir]].{{rp|417}}<ref name="PublicAffairs, Hiro, 2015">{{cite book |last1=Hiro |first1=Dilip |author-link1=Dilip Hiro |title=The Longest August: The Unflinching Rivalry Between India and Pakistan |date=2015 |publisher=PublicAffairs |location=Washington DC, US |isbn=9781568587349 |pages=475 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xHfNDQAAQBAJ&q=Jinnah+and+general+Frank&pg=PA417 |access-date=1 January 2019 |chapter-format=google book |chapter={{small|(Overviews and Conclusions)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200929/https://books.google.com/books?id=xHfNDQAAQBAJ&q=Jinnah+and+general+Frank&pg=PA417 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===20th Century: Cold war and conflict performances===
====Reorganization under the United States Army (1952–58)====
[[File:Ayubnewarmychief.jpg|thumb|right|200px|General [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Ayub Khan]] arriving to take over command of the Pakistan Army at the [[General Headquarters (Pakistan Army)|Army GHQ]] in [[Rawalpindi]], [[West Punjab|Punjab]] in [[Pakistan]] on 17 January 1951]]

At the time of the [[Partition of India|partition]] of [[British Indian Empire|British India]], British [[Field Marshal (United Kingdom)]] Sir [[Claude Auchinleck]] favored the transfer of the [[Infantry Division|infantry divisions]] to the Pakistan Army including the [[7th Infantry Division (Pakistan)|7th]], 8th and 9th.{{rp|55}}<ref name="Major Nasir Uddin pp55">Major Nasir Uddin, Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata, pp55</ref> In 1948, the British army officers in the Pakistan Army established and raised the 10th, [[12th Infantry Division (Pakistan)|12th]], and the 14th infantry divisions— with the 14th being established in [[East Bengal]].{{rp|55}}<ref name="Major Nasir Uddin pp55" /> In 1950, the 15th Infantry Division was raised with the help from the [[United States Army]], followed by the establishment of the [[15th Lancers]] in Sialkot.{{rp|36}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing, Higgins, 2016">{{cite book |last1=Higgins |first1=David R. |title=M48 Patton vs Centurion: Indo-Pakistani War 1965 |date=2016 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |location=Bloomsbury, Ind. US |isbn=9781472810939 |pages=100 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tx_DCwAAQBAJ&q=15th+infantry+division+pakistan+1950&pg=PA36 |access-date=2 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(Pakistan)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205201026/https://books.google.com/books?id=Tx_DCwAAQBAJ&q=15th+infantry+division+pakistan+1950&pg=PA36 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dependence on the United States grew furthermore by the Pakistan Army despite it had worrisome concerns to the country's politicians.{{rp|36}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing, Higgins, 2016" /> Between 1950 and 1954, Pakistan Army raised six more armoured regiments under the U.S. Army's guidance: including, 4th Cavalry, [[12th Cavalry (Frontier Force)|12th Cavalry]], [[15th Lancers]], and [[20th Lancers (Pakistan)|20th Lancers]].{{rp|36}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing, Higgins, 2016"/>

After the incident involving Gracey's disobedience, there was a strong belief that a native commander of the Pakistan army should be appointed, which resulted in the [[Government of Pakistan]] rejecting the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Army Board]]'s replacement of Gen. Gracey upon his replacement, in 1951.{{rp|34}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Khan |first1=Mohammad Ayub |title=Friends Not Masters: A Political Autobiography |date=1967 |publisher=Oxford University Press |pages=275 |isbn=9780192111784 |edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jfULAAAAIAAJ&q=considerable+speculationn |access-date=1 January 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200927/https://books.google.com/books?id=jfULAAAAIAAJ&q=considerable+speculationn |url-status=live }}</ref> Eventually, [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Liaquat Ali Khan]] approved the promotion paper of Maj-Gen. [[Iftikhar Khan]] as the first native [[Commander in Chief (Pakistan Army)|commander-in-chief]], a graduate of the [[Imperial Defence College]] in [[England]], but died in an aviation accident en route to Pakistan from the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 14 December 1949</ref>

After the death of [[Iftikhar Khan|Maj-Gen. Iftikhar]], there were four senior major-generals in the army in the race of promotion but the most junior, Maj-Gen. [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Ayub Khan]], whose name was not included in the promotion list was elevated to the promotion that resulted in a lobbying provided by Iskandar Mirza, the [[Defence Secretary of Pakistan|Defense Secretary]] in [[Ali Khan administration]].<ref name="paksoldiers.com">{{cite news|last1=paksoldiers.com|title=Appointments of Pakistan Army Commanders and Historic Facts – Pakistan Military & Defence News|url=http://paksoldiers.com/2013/12/04/appointments-pakistan-army-commanders-historic-facts/|access-date=3 November 2016|work=Original work published by the News International|agency=paksoldiers.com|publisher=paksoldiers.com|date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010123/http://paksoldiers.com/2013/12/04/appointments-pakistan-army-commanders-historic-facts/|archive-date=4 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> A tradition of appointment based on favoritism and qualification that is still in practice by the civilian [[List of Prime Ministers of Pakistan|Prime Ministers]] in Pakistan.<ref name="paksoldiers.com"/> Ayub was promoted to the acting rank of full general to command the army as his predecessors [[Frank Messervy]] and [[Douglas Gracey]] were performing the duty of commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Army in the acting rank of general, the neighboring country India's first commanders-in-chief were same in this context.

The department of the army under General [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Ayub Khan]] steered the army's needs towards heavy focus and dependence towards the imported hardware acquired from the [[United States]], in spite of acquiring it from the domestic industry, under the [[Military Assistance Advisory Group]] attached to Pakistan in 1954–56.{{rp|36}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing, Higgins, 2016"/> In 1953, the 6th Infantry Division was raised and disbanded the 6th Division in 1956 followed by the disbandment of the 9th Infantry Division as the American assistance was available only for one armored and six infantry divisions.{{rp|36}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing, Higgins, 2016"/> During this time, an army [[Brigade combat team|combat brigade team]] was readily made available by Gen. Ayub Khan to deploy to support the American Army's fighting troops in the [[Korean War|Korean war]].{{rp|270}}<ref name="Oxford University Press, Burke and Ziring">{{cite book |last1=Burke |first1=S. M. |last2=Ziring |first2=Lawrence |title=Pakistan's foreign policy: an historical analysis |date=1990 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford, Eng. UK |isbn=9780195774078 |pages=498 |edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8u8LAAAAIAAJ&q=Korean+war+ayub |format=snippet view |access-date=18 November 2020 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200927/https://books.google.com/books?id=8u8LAAAAIAAJ&q=Korean+war+ayub |url-status=live }}</ref>

Working as cabinet minister in [[Ministry of Talents|Bogra administration]], [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Gen. Ayub]]'s impartiality was greatly questioned by country's politicians and drove Pakistan's defence policy towards the dependence on the United States when the country becoming the party of the [[Central Treaty Organization|CENTO]] and the [[Southeast Asia Treaty Organization|SEATO]], the [[United States|U.S.]] active measures [[Anti-communism|against the expansion]] of the [[Communism|global communism]].{{rp|60}}<ref name="NYU Press, Cheema, 2002">{{cite book |last1=Cheema |first1=P. I. |author-link1=Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema |title=The Armed Forces of Pakistan |date=2002 |publisher=NYU Press |location=NY, US |isbn=9780814716335 |pages=200 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cw_gduyRv5oC&q=6th+Pakistan+army+1953 |access-date=3 January 2019 |format=google boosk |chapter={{small|(The Evolution of the Army)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200935/https://books.google.com/books?id=cw_gduyRv5oC&q=6th+Pakistan+army+1953 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hamid Hussain, Defence Journal of Pakistan">{{cite web|author=Hamid Hussain |title=Tale of a love affair that never was: United States-Pakistan Defence Relations |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/june/loveaffair.htm |website=Defence Journal of Pakistan |access-date=12 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304115412/http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/june/loveaffair.htm |archive-date=4 March 2012 }}</ref>

In 1956, the 1st Armored Division in Multan was established, followed by the [[Special Service Group|Special Forces]] in [[Cherat]] under the supervision of the [[United States Army Special Forces|U.S Army's Special Forces]].{{rp|55}}<ref name="Major Nasir Uddin pp55"/>{{rp|133}}<ref name="Oxford University Press, Nawaz, 2008">{{cite book |last1=Nawaz |first1=Shuja |title=Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within |date=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford, Eng, UK. |isbn=978-0195476606 |pages=655 |edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jKyfAAAAMAAJ&q=SSG+Pakistan+1956+United+states |access-date=3 January 2019 |format=snippet view |chapter={{small|§(Stay Behind Forces)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200936/https://books.google.com/books?id=jKyfAAAAMAAJ&q=SSG+Pakistan+1956+United+states |url-status=live }}</ref> Under [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Gen. Ayub]]'s control, the army had eradicated the British influence but invited the American expansion and had reorganized the [[East Bengal Regiment]] in [[East Bengal]], the [[Frontier Force Regiment]] in [[North-West Frontier Province (1901–2010)|Northern Pakistan]], [[Azad Kashmir Regiment|Kashmir Regiment]] in [[Azad Kashmir|Kashmir]], and [[Frontier Corps]] in the [[North-West Frontier Province (1901–2010)|Western Pakistan]].<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" /> The order of precedence change from Navy–Army–Air Force to Army–Navy-Air Force, with army being the most senior service branch in the structure of the Pakistani military.{{rp|98}}<ref name="NYU Press, Cheema, 2002" />

In 1957, the [[I Corps (Pakistan)|I Corps]] was established and headquarter was located in Punjab.{{rp|55}}<ref name="Major Nasir Uddin pp55"/> Between 1956 and 1958, the schools of infantry and tactics,<ref>{{cite web |title=School of Infantry and Tactics |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentb1b1.html?pId=273&rnd=480 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110551/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentb1b1.html?pId=273&rnd=480 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> artillery,<ref>{{cite web |title=School of Artillery |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0bf6.html?pId=269&rnd=476 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110324/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0bf6.html?pId=269&rnd=476 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ordnance,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ordnance College |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContenta7e1.html?pId=277&rnd=484 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110602/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContenta7e1.html?pId=277&rnd=484 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> armoured,<ref>{{cite web|title=School of Armoured and Mechanized Warfare|url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent5e00.html?pId=268&rnd=475|access-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210256/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent5e00.html?pId=268&rnd=475|archive-date=3 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> medical, engineering, services, aviation,<ref>{{cite web |title=Army Aviation School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent16a0.html?pId=274&rnd=481 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110540/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent16a0.html?pId=274&rnd=481 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> and several other schools and training centers were established with or without U.S. participation.{{rp|60}}<ref name="NYU Press, Cheema, 2002"/>

====Military takeovers in Pakistan and second war with India (1958–1969)====
{{Main|Lahore riots of 1953|l1=1953 West Pakistan riots|1958 Pakistani coup d'état|1964 East Pakistan riots|Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Martial law in Pakistan}}
[[File:Pakistani Army Position, 1965 War Footage 2.png|thumb|Pakistani Army Position, MG1A3 AA, 1965 War]]
[[File:Pakistani Army Infantry, War of 1965 Footage1.png|thumb|Pakistani Infantry, 1965 War]]
[[File:A Pakistan Army 106mm recoilless rifle positon - 1965 war.jpg|thumb|A Pakistan Army 106mm recoilless rifle position - 1965 war.]]
[[File:Captured Indian AMX-13 Squadron (Chamb 1965).jpg|thumb|An operational tank squadron of the Pakistan Army equipped with the Indian tanks (French-build AMXs) captured in the Chhamb battle, out on maneuvers.]]

As early as 1953, the Pakistan Army became involved in national politics in a view of restoring the [[Law and order in Pakistan|law and order]] situation when [[Governor-General of Pakistan|Governor-General]] [[Malik Ghulam Muhammad|Malik Ghulam]], with approval from Prime Minister [[Khawaja Nazimuddin]], dismissed the popularly-mandated [[Government of Punjab, Pakistan|state government]] of [[Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan|Chief Minister]] [[Mian Mumtaz Daultana|Mumtaz Daultana]] in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] in [[Pakistan]], and declared [[Martial law in Pakistan|martial law]] under [[Lieutenant General|Lt-Gen.]] [[Azam Khan (general)|Azam Khan]] and [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|Col.]] [[Rahimuddin Khan]] who successfully quelled the [[1953 Lahore riots|religious agitation]] in [[Lahore]].{{rp|17–18}}<ref name="ABC-CLIO, Mohiuddin">{{cite book|last1=Mohiuddin|first1=Yasmeen Niaz|title=Pakistan: A Global Studies Handbook|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9781851098019|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTMy0B9OZjAC&q=nazimuddin+martial+law&pg=PA158|access-date=21 March 2017|year=2007|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200929/https://books.google.com/books?id=OTMy0B9OZjAC&q=nazimuddin+martial+law&pg=PA158|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|158}} In 1954, the Pakistan Army's [[Military Intelligence of Pakistan|Military Intelligence Corps]] reportedly sent the intelligence report indicating the rise of [[Communist Party of Pakistan|communism]] in [[East Pakistan]] during the [[1954 East Bengali legislative election|legislative election]] held in [[East Bengal|East-Bengal]].{{rp|75}}<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014">{{cite book |last1=Shah |first1=Aqil |title=The Army and Democracy |date=2014 |publisher=Harvard University Press |location=Cambridge, Mass. U.S. |isbn=9780674728936 |pages=380 |edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wmyXAwAAQBAJ&q=History+of+Pakistan+Army |access-date=3 January 2019 |format=google books |chapter={{small|§(Marching Toward Martial Law)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200927/https://books.google.com/books?id=wmyXAwAAQBAJ&q=History+of+Pakistan+Army |url-status=live }}</ref> Within two months of the elections, Prime Minister [[Mohammad Ali Bogra]], with approval from [[Governor-General of Pakistan|Governor-General]] [[Malik Ghulam Muhammad|Malik Ghulam]], dismissed another popularly-mandated [[Government of East Pakistan|state government]] of [[Chief Minister of East Bengal|Chief Minister]] [[A. K. Fazlul Huq|Fazlul Huq]] in [[East Bengal]] in [[Pakistan]], and declared [[Governor's Rule|governor's rule]] under [[Iskandar Mirza]] who relied in the Pakistan Army to manage the control and security of the East Bengal at all levels of command.{{rp|75}}<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014"/> With General [[Ayub Khan (general)|Ayub Khan]] becoming the [[Defence Minister of Pakistan|Defense Minister]] under [[Ministry of Talents]] led by [[Mohammad Ali Bogra|Prime Minister Bogra]], the involvement of the army in the national politics grew further with the implementation of the controversial [[One Unit]] program, abolishing the status of [[Four Provinces (Pakistan)|Four Provinces]], despite the strong protests by the public and the West Pakistan's politicians.{{rp|80}}<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014"/> Major defense funding and spending was solely focused towards Ayub's army department and the air force department led by [[Air Marshal]] [[Asghar Khan]], giving less priority to the national needs for the Navy.<ref name="Dawn newspapers, Nadia Ghani, 2016">{{cite news|last1=Ghani|first1=Nadia|title=NON-FICTION: The narcissist|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/826646|access-date=3 November 2016|work=DAWN.COM|agency=Dawn newspapers|publisher=Dawn newspapers, Ghani|date=11 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104002638/http://www.dawn.com/news/826646|archive-date=4 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1954 to 1958, Ayub Khan was made subjected with receiving multiple service extensions by the civilian Prime Ministers first receiving in 1954 that extended his service to last till 1958.{{rp|contents}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sridharan |first1=E. |title=International Relations Theory and South Asia (OIP): Volume I: Security, Political Economy, Domestic Politics, Identities, and Images |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199089390 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cIM8DwAAQBAJ&q=Ayub+Khan+Extension+1955&pg=PT128 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205202526/https://books.google.com/books?id=cIM8DwAAQBAJ&q=Ayub+Khan+Extension+1955&pg=PT128 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|232}}<ref name="Royal Book Company, Ahmad, 2004">{{cite book |last1=Ahmad |first1=Syed Sami |title=History of Pakistan And Role of the Army |date=2004 |publisher=Royal Book Company |location=Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan |isbn=9789694073064 |pages=440 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dvBtAAAAMAAJ&q=Extension |access-date=3 January 2019 |format=snippet view |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205202527/https://books.google.com/books?id=dvBtAAAAMAAJ&q=Extension |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Pakistan Army under Ayub Khan had been less supportive towards the implementation of the [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1956|first set]] of [[Constitution of Pakistan]] that had established the [[civilian control of the military]], and the army went on to completely endorse and support the [[1958 Pakistani coup d'état|first martial law]] in the country imposed by [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Iskander Mirza]]– the army later took control of the power from [[Iskander Mirza|President Mirza]] in mere two weeks and installed Ayub Khan as the second [[President of Pakistan|President]].{{rp|81}}<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014"/> The subsequent change of command resulted in Gen. [[Musa Khan (general)|Musa Khan]] becoming the army commander with Ayub Khan promoting himself as controversial rank of [[Field Marshal (United Kingdom)|field marshal]].{{rp|22}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Anwar |first1=Muhammad |last2=Baig |first2=Ebad |title=Pakistan: Time for Change |date=2012 |publisher=AuthorHouse |isbn=9781477250303 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mb6OOYcrIOYC&q=Field+Marshal;+a+rank+he+never+deserved+at+all+Ayub&pg=PA22 |access-date=3 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(Military and Politics)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205202527/https://books.google.com/books?id=mb6OOYcrIOYC&q=Field+Marshal;+a+rank+he+never+deserved+at+all+Ayub&pg=PA22 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}} In 1969, the Supreme Court reversed its decision and overturned its convictions that called for validation of [[1958 Pakistani coup d'état|martial law]] in 1958.{{rp|60}}<ref name="Martinus Nijhoff Publishers"/>

The army held the referendum and tightly control the political situation through the [[Intelligence agencies of Pakistan|intelligence agencies]], and banned the political activities in the country.<ref>{{cite web |title=Martial Law Under Field Marshal Ayub Khan—Provincial Assemblies were dissolved and all political activities were banned. |url=https://storyofpakistan.com/martial-law-under-field-marshal-ayub-khan |website=Story of Pakistan |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=1 June 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104123950/https://storyofpakistan.com/martial-law-under-field-marshal-ayub-khan |archive-date=4 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Public coming to the streets raising slogans in favour of Pakistan Army after declaration of War.png|thumb|right|250px|The [[Pakistani society|public society]] in Pakistan rallying in support of the Pakistan Army in 1965]]

From 1961 to 1962, military aid continued to Pakistan from the United States and they established the [[25th Cavalry]], followed by the [[24th Cavalry (Frontier Force)|24th Cavalry]], 22nd, and 23rd Cavalry.{{rp|36}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing, Higgins, 2016" /> In 1960–61, the [[Pakistan Army Special Forces|Army Special Forces]] was reportedly involved in taking over the control of the administration of [[Dir District|Dir]] from the [[Dir District|Nawab of Dir]] in [[Chitral]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|North-West Frontier Province]] over the concerns of Afghan meddling in the region.<ref name="Defence Journal Pakistan">{{cite web|last1=Amin|first1=A.H.|title=Remembering Our Warriors: Brig. Shamim Yasin Manto|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/february/manto.htm|website=www.defencejournal.com|publisher=Defence Journal Shamim|access-date=19 September 2017|location=Karachi|date=February 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503043659/http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/february/manto.htm|archive-date=3 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1964–65, the [[Indo-Pakistani skirmishes|border fighting]] and tensions flared with the [[Indian Army]] with a serious incident taking place near the [[Rann of Kutch]], followed by the failed [[Operation Gibraltar|covert action]] to take control of the [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Indian-side of Kashmir]] resulted in a [[massive retaliation]] by the Indian Army on 5 August 1965.<ref name="Dawn">{{cite news |work=Dawn |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1203708 |title=Gibraltar, Grand Slam and war |first=Cyril |last=Almeida |date=30 August 2015 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104175654/https://www.dawn.com/news/1203708 |archive-date=4 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> On the night of 6 September 1965, India opened the front against Pakistan when the Indian Army's [[Indian Army Armoured Corps|mechanized corps]] charged forwards taking over the control of the [[Punjab, Pakistan|Pakistan-side of Punjab]], almost reaching [[Lahore]].{{rp|294}}<ref name="praagh_1965"/> At the time of the conflict in 1965, Pakistan's armory and mechanized units' hardware was imported from the United States including the [[M4 Sherman]], [[M24 Chaffee]], [[M36 Jackson]], and the [[M47 Patton|M47]] and [[M48 Patton|M48]] [[Patton tank]]s, equipped with 90&nbsp;mm guns.<ref>[http://www.milweb.net/webverts/22995/ 90mm M36 GUN MOTOR CARRIAGE "Jackson"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324220607/http://milweb.net/webverts/22995/ |date=24 March 2016 }} ''Post W.W.II, the M36 was employed by the [[US Army]] in Korea and was distributed to friendly nations including France, where it was used in Indo-China (Vietnam), Pakistan.''</ref> In contrast, the Indian Army's armor had outdated in technology with Korean war-usage American [[M4 Sherman]] and World War II manufactured British [[Centurion Tank]], fitted with the French-made CN-75 guns.<ref>[http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/pakistan/aminkhemkaran.html The Battle for Ravi-Sutlej Corridor 1965 A Strategic and Operational Analysis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007171816/http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/pakistan/aminkhemkaran.html |date=7 October 2007 }} Major A.H. Amin, 30 December 2001 Orbat</ref>

In spite of Pakistan enjoying the numerical advantage in tanks and artillery, as well as better equipment overall,{{rp|69}}<ref name="Dennis">{{cite book | title = The Widening Gulf: Asian Nationalism and American Policy | url = https://archive.org/details/wideninggulf00harr | url-access = registration | first = Selig | last = Seidenman Harrison | year = 1978 | publisher = Free Press | page = [https://archive.org/details/wideninggulf00harr/page/269 269] | isbn = 9780029140901 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.defencejournal.com/jul99/history-pak-army.htm A history of the Pakistan Army] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907070325/http://www.defencejournal.com/jul99/history-pak-army.htm |date=7 September 2006 }}&nbsp;– Defence Journal, Pakistan</ref> the Indian Army successfully penetrated the defences of Pakistan's borderline and successfully conquered around {{convert|360|to|500|km2|sqmi|-1|abbr=off}}<ref name="praagh_1965">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=kCI4492cHTEC&q=The%20greater%20game%3A%20India%27s%20race%20with%20destiny%20and%20China&pg=PP1|last = Praagh|first = David|title = The greater game: India's race with destiny and China|publisher = McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP, 2003|page = 294|isbn = 978-0-7735-2639-6|year = 2003|access-date = 18 November 2020|archive-date = 5 February 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230205202528/https://books.google.com/books?id=kCI4492cHTEC&q=The%20greater%20game%3A%20India%27s%20race%20with%20destiny%20and%20China&pg=PP1|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=fire>Musharraf, ''In the Line of Fire'', page 45.</ref> of [[Pakistani Punjab]] territory on the outskirts of Lahore.<ref name="Mellow 1965">Melville de Mellow (28, November 1965). "Battle of Burki was another outstanding infantry operation". Sainik Samachar.</ref> A major tank battle took place in [[Chawinda]], at which the newly established 1st Armoured Division was able to halt the Indian invasion.{{rp|35}}<ref>{{cite book | title = The M47 and M48 Patton tanks | first1 = Steve | last1 = Zaloga | first2 = Jim | last2 = Laurier | year = 1999 | isbn = 978-1-85532-825-9 | page = 35| publisher = Bloomsbury USA }}</ref> Eventually, the Indian invasion of Pakistan came to halt when the Indian Army [[Battle of Burki|concluded the battle near Burki]].<ref name="Mellow 1965"/><ref name="Hagerty2005">{{cite book |last=Hagerty |first=Devin T. |date=2005 |title=South Asia in World Politics |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-7425-2587-0}}</ref>{{page needed|date=October 2015}}<ref name="William M. Carpenter 2005">William M. Carpenter, David G. Wiencek. Asian security handbook: terrorism and the new security environment. M.E. Sharpe, 2005. {{ISBN|0-7656-1553-3}}.</ref><ref name="John Keay 2001">John Keay. India: A History. Grove Press, 2001. {{ISBN|0-275-97779-X}}.</ref> With diplomatic efforts and involvement by the [[Soviet Union]] to bring two nation to end the war, the Ayub administration reached a compromise with [[Shastri ministry|Shastri ministry in India]] when both governments signed and ratified the [[Tashkent Declaration]].<ref name="William M. Carpenter 2005"/><ref name="John Keay 2001"/> According to the Library of Congress Country Studies conducted by the Federal Research Division of the United States:

{{Blockquote|The war was militarily inconclusive; each side held prisoners and some territory belonging to the other. Losses were relatively heavy—on the Pakistani side, twenty aircraft, 200 tanks, and 3,800 troops. Pakistan's army had been able to withstand Indian pressure, but a continuation of the fighting would only have led to further losses and ultimate defeat for Pakistan. Most Pakistanis, schooled in the belief of their own martial prowess, refused to accept the possibility of their country's military defeat by "Hindu India" and were, instead, quick to blame their failure to attain their military aims on what they considered to be the ineptitude of Ayub Khan and his government.{{dead link|date=May 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field%28DOCID+pk0152%29 |title=The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 |publisher=Memory.loc.gov |date=5 July 1977 |access-date=15 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107081241/http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd%2Fcstdy%3A%40field%28DOCID+pk0152%29 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}

According to neural claims Pakistan suffered from 1,500 Soldiers killed and 4,300 wounded<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E-SUAQAACAAJ|title=Encyclopedia of Wars|last1=Phillips|first1=Charles|last2=Axelrod|first2=Alan|date=2005|publisher=Facts On File|isbn=978-0-8160-2851-1|pages=Page: 602 https://ibb.co/WNvkz41K|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNzCDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA600|title=Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015, 4th ed.|last=Clodfelter|first=Micheal|date=2017-04-24|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-2585-0|language=en}}</ref> and India suffered from 3,712 Soldiers killed and 7,638 wounded.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E-SUAQAACAAJ|title=Encyclopedia of Wars|last1=Phillips|first1=Charles|last2=Axelrod|first2=Alan|date=2005|publisher=Facts On File|isbn=978-0-8160-2851-1|pages=Page: 602 https://ibb.co/WNvkz41K|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNzCDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA600|title=Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015, 4th ed.|last=Clodfelter|first=Micheal|date=2017-04-24|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-2585-0|language=en}}</ref> Pakistan lost 200-250 tanks,<ref name="Tucker-2021">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50MrEAAAQBAJ|title=Tank Battles of the Cold War, 1948–1991|last=Tucker-Jones|first=Anthony|date=2021-06-30|publisher=Pen and Sword Military|isbn=978-1-5267-7802-4|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=OUTCOME OF INDIA-PAKISTAN WARFARE {{!}} CIA FOIA (foia.cia.gov)|url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp79t00472a000600020013-0|access-date=2025-02-27|website=CIA}}</ref> and India lost 200-300 tanks.<ref name="Tucker-2021" /><ref name=":1" />

However, most neutral assessments agree that India had the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965#Assessment of losses|upper hand over Pakistan]] when ceasefire was declared,<ref>{{cite book |last=Hagerty |first=Devin T. |date=2005 |title=South Asia in World Politics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ln3qChyrmIQC |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=26 |isbn=978-0-7425-2587-0 |quote=The invading Indian forces outfought their Pakistani counterparts and halted their attack on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city. By the time United Nations intervened on 22 September, Pakistan had suffered a clear defeat. |access-date=6 May 2020 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205202531/https://books.google.com/books?id=ln3qChyrmIQC |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="USLib">{{cite book|url=http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+pk0152)|title=Pakistan :: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|publisher=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]], United States of America|date=April 1994|access-date=2 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107081241/http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd%2Fcstdy%3A%40field%28DOCID+pk0152%29|archive-date=7 January 2016|url-status=live}} Quote: Losses were relatively heavy—on the Pakistani side, twenty aircraft, 200 tanks, and 3,800 troops. Pakistan's army had been able to withstand Indian pressure, but a continuation of the fighting would only have led to further losses and ultimate defeat for Pakistan.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Wolpert|first=Stanley|title=India|year=2005|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley|isbn=978-0520246966|page=[https://archive.org/details/india00wolp_1/page/235 235]|url=https://archive.org/details/india00wolp_1|url-access=registration|quote=won a clear victory.|edition=3rd ed. with a new preface.}} Quote: India, however, was in a position to inflict grave damage to, if not capture, Pakistan's capital of the Punjab when the cease-fire was called, and controlled Kashmir's strategic Uri-Poonch bulge, much to Ayub's chagrin.</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Dennis|last=Kux|title=India and the United States : Estranged democracies, 1941–1991|year=1992|publisher=National Defense University Press|location=Washington, DC|isbn=978-0788102790|page=238|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zcylFXH9_z8C&q=India+had+most+to+celebrate|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107081242/https://books.google.com/books?id=zcylFXH9_z8C&q=India+had+most+to+celebrate#v=snippet&q=pakistan%20made%20gains&f=false|archive-date=7 January 2016}} Quote: India had the better of the war.</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=1 October 1965 |title=Asia: Silent Guns, Wary Combatants |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,834413-2,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107081241/http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,834413-2,00.html |archive-date=7 January 2016 |access-date=30 August 2013 |newspaper=Time}} Quote: India, by contrast, is still the big gainer in the war. Alternate link: http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/printout/0,8816,834413,00.html [https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/printout/0,8816,834413,00.html]</ref> but the propaganda in Pakistan about the war continued in favor of Pakistan Army.<ref>[http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/nov/pak-army.htm The Pakistan Army From 1965 to 1971 ''Analysis and reappraisal after the 1965 War''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307232548/http://defencejournal.com/2000/nov/pak-army.htm |date=7 March 2009 }} by Maj (Retd) Agha Humayun Amin</ref> The war was not rationally analysed in Pakistan with most of the blame being heaped on the leadership and little importance given to intelligence failures that persisted until the debacle of the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|third war with India]] in 1971.<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C06%5C01%5Cstory_1-6-2007_pg3_1 Editorial: The army and the people] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422221236/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C06%5C01%5Cstory_1-6-2007_pg3_1 |date=22 April 2007 }} Daily Times 1 June 2007</ref>  The Indian Army's action was restricted to [[Punjab region]] of both sides with Indian Army mainly in fertile Sialkot, Lahore and Kashmir sectors,<ref name="Arif2001">{{cite book |last=Arif |first=General K. M. |author-link=Khalid Mahmud Arif |year=2001 |title=Khaki Shadows |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=88 |isbn=978-0-19-579396-3}}</ref><ref>The Story of My Struggle By Tajammal Hussain Malik 1991, Jang Publishers, p. 78</ref> while Pakistani land gains were primarily in southern deserts opposite [[Sindh]] and in the [[Chumb]] sector near Kashmir in the north.<ref name="Arif2001" />

With the United States' arms embargo on Pakistan over the issue of the war, the army instead turned to the Soviet Union and China for hardware acquisition, and correctly assessed that a lack of infantry played a major role in the failure of Pakistani armour to translate its convincing material and technical superiority into a major operational or strategic success against the Indian Army.<ref name="Defence Journal, Maj. AH Amin">{{cite web |last1=Amin |first1=Maj. Agha Humayun |title=The Pakistan Army From 1965 to 1971 |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/nov/pak-army.htm |website=www.defencejournal.com |publisher=Defence Journal |access-date=7 January 2019 |location=Islamabbad |date=1 November 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307232548/http://defencejournal.com/2000/nov/pak-army.htm |archive-date=7 March 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ultimately, the army's high command established the 9th, 16th, and 17th infantry divisions in 1966–68.<ref name="Defence Journal, Maj. AH Amin"/> In 1966, the [[IV Corps (Pakistan)|IV Corps]] was formed and its headquarter was established, and permanently stationed in Lahore, [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] in [[Pakistan]].<ref name="Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, Alam, 2012">{{cite book |last1=Alam |first1=Dr Shah |title=Pakistan Army: Modernisation, Arms Procurement and Capacity Building |date=2012 |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd |isbn=9789381411797 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WvapCQAAQBAJ&q=IV+Corps+pakistan+1966&pg=PT70 |access-date=7 January 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205202531/https://books.google.com/books?id=WvapCQAAQBAJ&q=IV+Corps+pakistan+1966&pg=PT70 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The army remained involved in the nation's civic affairs, and ultimately imposed the second martial law in 1969 when the [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1962|writ of the constitution]] was abrogated by then-army commander, Gen. [[Yahya Khan]], who took control of the nation's civic affairs after the resignation of President Ayub Khan, resulted in a massive labor strikes instigated by the [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] in [[West Pakistan|West]] and [[Awami League]] in [[East Pakistan]].<ref name="Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Omar, 2002">{{cite book |last1=Omar |first1=Imtiaz |title=Emergency Powers and the Courts in India and Pakistan |date=2002 |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |location=New Southland, Aus. |isbn=9789041117755 |pages=206 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o6-wZP7Tz8YC&q=Yahya+khan+martial+law+1969&pg=PA59 |access-date=7 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(Second Proclamation of Martial Law: 1969)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205202532/https://books.google.com/books?id=o6-wZP7Tz8YC&q=Yahya+khan+martial+law+1969&pg=PA59 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a lawsuit settled by the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]], the legality of the martial law was deemed questionable as the Supreme Court settled the suit by retroactively invalidated the martial law that suspended the [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1962|Constitution]] and notably ruled that Yahya Khan's assumption of power was "illegal usurpation".{{rp|59–60}}<ref name="Martinus Nijhoff Publishers">{{cite book|last1=Omar|first1=Imtiaz|title=Emergency Powers and the Courts in India and Pakistan|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|isbn=904111775X|pages=59–60|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o6-wZP7Tz8YC&q=hamoodur+rehman+chief+justice&pg=PA60|access-date=22 August 2016|chapter-format=google books|chapter=Extra-Constitutional Emergency Powers: Martial Law|date=28 March 2002|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205202532/https://books.google.com/books?id=o6-wZP7Tz8YC&q=hamoodur+rehman+chief+justice&pg=PA60|url-status=live}}</ref> In light of the Supreme Court's judgement, the army held the publicly televised conference when President Yahya Khan announced to hold the [[1970 Pakistani general election|nationwide general elections]] in 1969–70.{{rp|59–60}}<ref name="Martinus Nijhoff Publishers"/>

====Suppression, civil conflict in East Pakistan and Indian invasion (1969–1971)====
{{Main|Black September|India and state-sponsored terrorism|1971 East Pakistan genocide|1971 East Pakistan Intellectuals massacre|Operation Searchlight|Bangladesh Liberation War|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}

In 1969, [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Yahya Khan]] decided to make administrative changes in the army by appointing the Gen. [[Abdul Hamid Khan (general)|Abdul Hamid Khan]] as the [[Army Chief of Staff (Pakistan)|Army Chief of Staff]] (ACOS) of the Pakistan Army, who centralized the chain of command in Rawalpindi in a headquarters known as "High Command".{{rp|32}}<ref>Shafiullah, Maj. Gen. K.M., Bangladesh at War, pp32</ref> From 1967 to 1969, a series of major [[Pakistan Armed Forces Eastern Command#Operation X-Sundarbans-1|military exercises]] was conducted by infantry units on East Pakistan's border with India.{{rp|114–119}}<ref>Ali, Maj. Gen. Rao Farman, How Pakistan Got Divided, pp114 – pp119</ref> In 1970, the Pakistan army's military mission in [[Jordan]] was reportedly involved in [[Black September|tackling and curbing down]] the Palestinian infiltration in Jordan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj95/ashman.htm|title=Islam and imperialism|publisher=socialistreviewindex.org.uk|access-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019041521/http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/isj95/ashman.htm|archive-date=19 October 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 1971, the enlistment in the army had allowed the [[GHQ (Pakistan Army)|Army GHQ]] in Rawalpindi to raise and established the 18th infantry division, stationed in [[Hyderabad Pakistan|Hyderabad]], [[Sindh]], for the defence of {{convert|560|mi|km|order=flip}} from [[Rahimyar Khan]] to [[Rann of Kutch]], and restationed the 23rd infantry division for defending the [[Chhamb, Hamirpur|Chhamb-Dewa Sector]].<ref name="Defence Journal, Maj. AH Amin" />

In 1971, the [[II Corps (Pakistan)|II Corps]] was established and headquartered in Multan, driven towards defending the mass incursion from the Indian Army.<ref name="Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, Alam, 2012" /> In December 1971, the 33rd infantry division was established from the army reserves of the [[II Corps (Pakistan)|II Corps]], followed by raising the 37th Infantry Division.<ref name="Defence Journal, Maj. AH Amin" /> Pakistan Army reportedly helped the [[Pakistan Navy]] towards establishing its amphibious branch, the [[Pakistan Marines]], whose [[battalion]]s was airlifted to [[East Pakistan]] along with the 9th Infantry Division.<ref name="Defence Journal, Maj. AH Amin" />

The intervention in East Pakistan further grew when the [[Operation Searchlight]] resulted in the overtaking of the government buildings, communication centers, and restricting the politicians opposed to military rule.{{rp|263}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Ṣiddīq Sālik|title=Witness to surrender|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ewxuAAAAMAAJ|access-date=4 June 2011|year=1977|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-577257-9|pages=63, 228, 229|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610080209/https://books.google.com/books?id=ewxuAAAAMAAJ|archive-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> Within a month, Pakistani national security strategists realized their failure of implementing the plan which had not anticipated civil resistance in East, and the real nature of Indian strategy behind their support of the resistance.{{rp|2–3}}<ref>Pakistan Defence Journal, 1977, Vol 2, pp. 2–3</ref>

The Yahya administration is widely accused of permitting the army to commit the [[1971 East Pakistan genocide|war crimes against the civilians]] in East and curbing civil liberties and human rights in Pakistan. The [[East Pakistan Military Command|Eastern Command]] under [[Lieutenant-General|Lt-Gen.]] [[Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi|A. A. K. Niazi]], who had [[Area of responsibility|area responsibility]] of the defending the Eastern Front and had the responsibility to protect, was leveled with accusations of escalating the political violence in the East by the serving military officers, politicians, and journalists in Pakistan.<ref name="Geo news tv">{{cite web|title=Lt Gen(R) Jamshaid Gulzar Kiyani exposes Musharraf's evil actions.|url=https://united4justice.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/lt-genr-jamshaid-gulzar-kiyani-exposes-musharrafs-evil-actions/|publisher=Geo news tv|access-date=11 August 2017|date=3 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811060924/https://united4justice.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/lt-genr-jamshaid-gulzar-kiyani-exposes-musharrafs-evil-actions/|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Oxford University Press, Kiessling">{{cite book|last1=Kiessling|first1=Hein|title=Faith, Unity, Discipline: The Inter-Service-Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan|date=2016|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=London, UK|isbn=9781849048637|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y_cgDgAAQBAJ&q=zahid+ali+akbar+military+academy&pg=PT71|access-date=19 September 2017|chapter-format=google books|chapter={{small|§Domestic Politics: General Beg}} }}</ref> Since the [[1970 Pakistani general election|general elections]] in 1970, the army had detained several key politicians, journalists, peace activists, student unionists, and other members of civil society while curbing the freedoms of movement and speech in Pakistan.{{rp|112}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Manokha |first1=I. |title=The Political Economy of Human Rights Enforcement: Moral and Intellectual Leadership in the Context of Global Hegemony |date=2008 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9780230583481 |pages=300 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ORqFDAAAQBAJ&q=political+prisoner+pakistan+army+1970&pg=PA116 |access-date=9 January 2019 |chapter-format=google boosk |chapter={{small|(§Ideology and the History of Human Rights Enforcement)}}}}</ref> In East Pakistan, the unified [[Eastern Military Command of Pakistan|Eastern Military Command]] under Lt-Gen. A.A.K. Niazi, began its engagement with the [[Mukti Bahini|armed militia]] that had support from [[India]] in April 1971, and eventually fought against the Indian Army in December 1971.{{rp|596}}<ref name="ABC-CLIO, Heo and Jr.">{{cite book|last1=DeRouen|first1=Karl Jr.|last2=Heo|first2=Uk|title=Civil Wars of the World: Major Conflicts Since World War II|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9781851099191|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nrN077AEgzMC&q=pakistan%20army%201971%20India&pg=PA596|access-date=24 December 2016|date=10 May 2007}}</ref>{{rp|596}} The army, together with marines, launched ground offensives on both fronts but the Indian Army successfully held its ground and initiated well-coordinated ground operations on both fronts, initially capturing {{convert|5795|sqmi|km2|order=flip}}{{rp|239}}<ref name="Oxford University Press, Nawaz, 2008" /> of Pakistan's territory; this land gained by India in [[Azad Kashmir]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] and [[Sindh]] sectors.{{rp|239}}<ref name="Oxford University Press, Nawaz, 2008" />

Responding to the ultimatum issued on 16 December 1971 by the Indian Army in East, Lt-Gen. Niazi agreed to concede defeat and move towards signing the [[Pakistani Instrument of Surrender|documented surrender]] with the Indian Army which effectively and unilaterally ended the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|armed resistance]] and led the creation of [[Bangladesh]], only after India's official engagement that lasted 13 days.<ref name="pakdefeat1">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AoFNCgAAQBAJ&q=1971+war+largest+surrender&pg=PA11|title=China's Role in the Indian Ocean: Its Implications on India's National Security|last=Abraham|first=Dr Saji|date=1 August 2015|publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd|isbn=9789384464714|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115185547/https://books.google.com/books?id=AoFNCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=1971+war+largest+surrender&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjp1O7vytnYAhWMwLwKHTm0CRwQ6AEINTAD#v=onepage&q=1971%20war%20largest%20surrender&f=false|archive-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> It was reported that the [[Pakistan Eastern Command|Eastern Command]] had surrendered ~93,000–97,000 uniform personnel to Indian Army– the largest surrender in a war by any country after the [[World War II]].<ref name="pakdefeat2">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6XYp-z5aP4MC&q=93000+pakistani+prisoners+of+war&pg=PA259|title=Centuries of Genocide: Essays and Eyewitness Accounts|last1=Totten|first1=Samuel|last2=Parsons|first2=William Spencer|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9780415871914|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116004359/https://books.google.com/books?id=6XYp-z5aP4MC&pg=PA259&dq=93000+pakistani+prisoners+of+war&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO9KSnytnYAhXEi7wKHd5VCc0Q6AEIMTAC#v=onepage&q=93000%20pakistani%20prisoners%20of%20war&f=false|archive-date=16 January 2018}}</ref> Casualties inflicted to army's I Corps, II Corps, and Marines did not sit well with President Yahya Khan who turned over control of the civic government to [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] through an executive decree.<ref name="pakdefeat3">{{cite web|title=No lessons learnt in forty years – The Express Tribune|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/307080/no-lessons-learnt-in-forty-years/|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=26 December 2016|date=15 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024093415/http://tribune.com.pk/story/307080/no-lessons-learnt-in-forty-years/|archive-date=24 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Commenting on the defeat, the military observer in the Pakistan Army, Major A.H. Amin, reported that the war strategists in the army had not seriously considered a full-fledged invasion from India until December 1971, because it was presumed that the Indian military would not risk intervention by China or the United States, and the high command failed to realize that the Chinese would be unable to intervene during the winter months of November to December, due to snowbound Himalayan passes, and the Americans had not made any real effort to persuade India against attacking East Pakistan.<ref>Major (Ret) A.H. Amin, [http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/nov/pak-army.htm The Pakistan Army from 1965 to 1971] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307232548/http://defencejournal.com/2000/nov/pak-army.htm |date=7 March 2009 }}, Defence Journal, November 2000</ref>

====Restructuring of armed forces, stability and restoration (1971–1977)====
{{Main|Dhofar Rebellion|1970s operation in Balochistan|Pakistan and its Nuclear Deterrent Program}}
[[File:Officers and Jawans of 19th Battalion of Frontier Force Regiment on the occasion of Pakistan Day Parade 1974.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The [[Army ranks and insignia of Pakistan|officers]] of the 9th Battalion of the [[Frontier Force Regiment]] on 23 March 1974]]
[[File:Tracking Nuclear Proliferation, Pakistan.jpg|thumb|right|260px|In the 1970s, the [[Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] built many secretive [[Nuclear weapon testing|weapon-testing laboratories]] and [[Nuclear test site|sites]] in the [[Mountain ranges of Pakistan|graphite mountain ranges]] of [[Pakistan]].{{rp|144–145}}<ref name="Stanford University Press, F. Khan, 2012"/> The footage is provided as an example by the [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace|CEIP]].]]

In January 1972, the [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto#President of Pakistan|Bhutto administration]] formed the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Prisoners of War Investigation|POW Commission]] to investigate the numbers of [[Prisoners of War|war prisoners]] held by the Indian Army while requesting the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]] to investigate the causes of the war failure with India in 1971.{{rp|7–10}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> The [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|Supreme Court]] formed the famed [[Hamoodur Rahman Commission|War Enquiry Commission]] (WEC) that identified many failures, fractures, and faults within the institution of the department of the army and submitted recommendations to strengthen the armed forces overall.<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" /> Under the [[President Yahya Khan|Yahya administration]], the army was highly demoralized and there were unconfirmed reports of mutiny by soldiers against the senior army generals at the Corps garrisons and the Army GHQ in Rawalpindi.{{rp|5}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" />

Upon returning from the quick visit in the [[United States]] in [[1971 in the United States|1971]], [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto|President Bhutto]] forcefully [[Dishonorable discharge|dishonourably discharge]] seven senior army generals, which he called the "army waderas" ({{lit|[[Warlord]]s}}).{{rp|71}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jafri |first1=Maqsood |title=The Ideals of Bhutto |date=2008 |location=Pakistan |pages=390 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgRuAAAAMAAJ&q=waderas |format=snippet view}}</ref> In 1972, the army leadership under Lt-Gen. [[Gul Hassan Khan|Gul Hassan]] refrained from acting under Bhutto administration's order to tackle the [[Karachi labour unrest of 1972|labor strikes in Karachi]] and to detained the labor union leaders in Karachi, instead advising the federal government to use the [[Sindh Police|Police Department]] to take the actions.{{rp|7}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" />

On [[1972 in Pakistan|2 March 1972]], [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto|President Bhutto]] dismissed [[Lieutenant-General|Lt-Gen.]] [[Gul Hassan Khan|Gul Hassan]] as the army commander, replacing with Lt-Gen. [[Tikka Khan]] who was later promoted to four-star rank and appointed as the first [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] (COAS).{{rp|8}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> The army under [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto#President of Pakistan|Bhutto administration]] was reconstructed in its structure, improving its fighting ability, and reorganized with the establishment of the [[X Corps (Pakistan)|X Corps]] in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] in [[1974 in Pakistan|1974]], followed by the [[V Corps (Pakistan)|V Corps]] in [[Sindh]] and [[XI Corps (Pakistan)|XI Corps]] in the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]] in [[Pakistan]] in [[1975 in Pakistan|1975]].<ref name="Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, Alam">{{cite book |last1=Alam |first1=Dr Shah |title=Pakistan Army: Modernisation, Arms Procurement and Capacity Building |date=2012 |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd |isbn=9789381411797 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WvapCQAAQBAJ&q=Pakistan+Army+V+COrps+1975&pg=PT70 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|§(Pakistan Army's Corps Commands)}}}}</ref> The [[Delhi Agreement|trilateral agreement]] in India, the [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto#Prime Minister of Pakistan|Bhutto administration]] transferred all the [[Prisoners of war during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|war prisoners]] back to the country but the military struggle to fill in the vacancies and employments due to some suffering from the [[Posttraumatic stress disorder|PTSD]] and other mental health complications, while others simply did not wanted to serve in the military any longer.{{rp|19–20}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> During Bhutto's administration, Pakistan's military pursued a policy of greater self-reliance in arms production. This involved efforts to develop domestic capabilities for manufacturing weapons and military equipment. To address material shortages, Pakistan also turned to China for cooperation in establishing essential metal and material industries.<ref name="IISS: Military Balance">{{cite journal |date=10 February 2015 |title=Country comparisons – commitments, force levels and economics |journal=The Military Balance |volume=115 |issue=1 |page=486 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2015.996366 |issn=1479-9022 |s2cid=219625679}}</ref>

In [[1973 in Pakistan|1973]], the [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto#Prime Minister of Pakistan|Bhutto administration]] dismissed the [[Government of Balochistan, Pakistan|state government]] in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] that resulting in another [[Separatism in Pakistan|separatist movement]], culminating the series of [[1970s operation in Balochistan|army actions]] in largest province of the country that ended in 1977.{{rp|319}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing, Farrokh, 2011">{{cite book |last1=Farrokh |first1=Kaveh |title=Iran at War: 1500–1988 |date=2011 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |location=NY. US. |isbn=9781780962405 |pages=460 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TVObCwAAQBAJ&q=Pakistan+iran+AH+1Cobra&pg=PA319 |access-date=10 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|§(Pakistani Baluchistan)}}}}</ref> With the military aid receiving from Iran including the transfer of the [[Bell AH-1 Cobra]] to [[Pakistan Army Aviation Corps|Aviation Corps]],{{rp|319}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing, Farrokh, 2011"/> the conflict came to end with the [[Pakistani government]] offering the general [[Amnesty International|amnesties]] to separatists in the 1980s.{{rp|151}}<ref name="Routledge, Coakley, 2004">{{cite book |last1=Coakley |first1=John |title=The Territorial Management of Ethnic Conflict |date=2004 |publisher=Routledge |location=United States |isbn=9781135764425 |pages=290 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEqRAgAAQBAJ&q=Pakistan+Army+Balochistan+conflict+amnesty&pg=PA151 |access-date=10 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|§(Baloch Marginalism)}}}}</ref>{{rp|319}}{{rp|319}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing, Farrokh, 2011"/> Over the issue of Baloch conflict, the Pakistani military remained engage in [[Dhofar Rebellion|Omani civil war]] in favor of Omani government until the rebels were defeated in 1979.<ref name="Omancountrystudies">{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/persian-gulf-states/62.htm|title=The Dhofar Rebellion|website=countrystudies.us|access-date=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409032203/http://countrystudies.us/persian-gulf-states/62.htm|archive-date=9 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Hamoodur Rahman Commission|War Enquiry Commission]] noted the lack of joint [[grand strategy]] between the four-branches of the military during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|first]], the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|second]], and the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|third]] wars with India, recommending the establishment of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]] to maintain strategic military communication between the inter-services and the federal government, that is to be chaired by the appointed [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman joint chiefs]] as the government's principal military adviser.{{rp|145}}<ref name="Springer, Rizvi, 2000">{{cite book |last1=Rizvi |first1=H. |author-link1=Hasan Askari Rizvi |title=Military, State and Society in Pakistan |date=2000 |publisher=Springer |location=Penns. US. |isbn=9780230599048 |pages=295 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZwGIDAAAQBAJ&q=Chairman+joint+chiefs+Pakistan+1976&pg=PA145 |access-date=10 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(Civilian Interlude)}}}}</ref> In [[1976 in Pakistan|1976]], the first [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman joint chiefs]] was appointed from the army with Gen. [[Muhammad Shariff]] taking over the chairmanship, but resigned a year later.{{rp|145}}<ref name="Springer, Rizvi, 2000"/> In [[1975 in Pakistan|1975]], Prime Minister [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] controversially superseded at least seven senior army generals to promote Lt-Gen. [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]] to the four-star rank, appointing him the [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] (COAS) in spite of army recommendations forwarded to the federal government.{{rp|24}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008">{{cite book |last1=Cloughley |first1=Brian |title=War, Coups and Terror: Pakistan's Army in Years of Turmoil |date=2008 |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing Inc. |location=London, UK |isbn=9781602396982 |pages=300 |edition=2nd |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JBUAwavfcDkC&q=Bhutto+retired+seven+generals+Zia&pg=PA24 |access-date=10 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(War and Terror)}}}}</ref>

In the 1970s, the army's engineering formations, notable the [[Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]], played a crucial role in supporting the [[Pakistan and its Nuclear Deterrent Program|clandestine atomic bomb program]] to reach its parity and feasibility, including the constructions of iron-steel tunnels in the secretive [[Nuclear test site|nuclear weapons-testing sites]] in 1977–78.{{rp|144–145}}<ref name="Stanford University Press, F. Khan, 2012">{{cite book |last1=Khan |first1=Feroz |title=Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistan atomic bomb |date=2012 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, CA, US |isbn=9780804784801 |pages=400 |edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yGgrNAsKZjEC&q=Pakistan+Army+nuclear+1970s |access-date=10 January 2019 |format=google books |chapter={{small|(The Secret Nuclear R&D Program)}}}}</ref>

[[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]] and [[Pakistan Navy|Navy]] [[fighter pilot]]s voluntarily served in [[Middle East|Arab nations']] militaries against Israel in the [[Yom Kippur War]] (1973).  According to modern Pakistani sources, in 1974 one of the PAF pilots, Flt. Lt. [[Sattar Alvi]] flying a MiG-21 shot down an Israeli Air Force Mirage flown by Captain M. Lutz, and was honoured by the Syrian government.<ref name="Chengappa2004">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iDoMlBd4dYsC&pg=PA42|title=Pakistan: Islamisation Army And Foreign Policy|date=1 January 2004|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7648-548-7|pages=42–|author=Bidanda M. Chengappa|access-date=22 February 2013|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529022027/http://books.google.com/books?id=iDoMlBd4dYsC&pg=PA42|archive-date=29 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="Dunstan2003">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BYk_sXT6tsC&pg=PA39|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528233430/http://books.google.com/books?id=1BYk_sXT6tsC&pg=PA39|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 May 2013|title=The Yom Kippur War 1973 (2): The Sinai|date=20 April 2003|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-84176-221-0|pages=39–|author=Simon Dunstan|access-date=22 February 2013}}</ref><ref name="Kumaraswamy2013">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g1TkFQgzp5cC&pg=PT75|title=Revisiting the Yom Kippur War|date=11 January 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-32895-4|pages=75–|author=P.R. Kumaraswamy|access-date=22 February 2013|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529040324/http://books.google.com/books?id=g1TkFQgzp5cC&pg=PT75|archive-date=29 May 2013}}</ref> The Israeli pilot later succumbed to wounds he sustained during ejection. However, no major sources from the time reported on such an incident,<ref>{{cite web |title=⁨מעריב⁩ {{!}} עמוד 1 {{!}} 28 אפריל 1974 {{!}} אוסף העיתונות {{!}} הספרייה הלאומית |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/mar/1974/04/28/01/page/1 |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=www.nli.org.il |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=April 1974 Broadcast Index |url=https://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/siteindex/1974-4 |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=Vanderbilt Television News Archive }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Results 1 to 13 of 13 for syria israel — California Digital Newspaper Collection |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=q&hs=1&r=1&results=1&txq=syria+israel+&dafdq=26&dafmq=04&dafyq=1974&datdq=28&datmq=04&datyq=1974&puq=&txf=txIN&ssnip=txt&oa=&e=26-04-1974-30-04-1974--en--20--1--txt-txIN-syria+israel+------- |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=cdnc.ucr.edu}}</ref> and there is no mention of "Captain Lutz" in [[Ministry of Defense (Israel)|Israel's Ministry of Defense]]'s record of Israel's casualties of war.<ref>{{cite web |title=אתר ההנצחה לחללי מערכות ישראל |url=https://www.izkor.gov.il/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=אתר ההנצחה לחללי מערכות ישראל |language=he}}</ref>

====Middle East operations, peacekeeping missions, and covert actions (1977–1999)====
{{Main|Rahimuddin Khan's Stabilization of Balochistan|1979 Grand Mosque seizure|Siachen conflict|Battle for Hill 3234|Somali Civil War|Afghan Civil War (1992–1996)|Afghan Civil War (1996–2001)|Bosnian War|Indo-Pakistani War of 1999|War in former Yugoslavia|Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism}}
[[File:Two cobra helicopters at Multan.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Transferred from [[Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces|Iranian Ground Force]] in 1973–75, the Pakistan Army acquired additional the [[AH-1 Cobra|AH-1S Cobra]] [[attack helicopter]]s from the [[United States]] under the [[Foreign Military Sales]] to improve the Pakistan's defences in the 1980s.{{rp|45–46}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" />]]

The political instability increased in the country when the [[Pakistan National Alliance|conservative alliance]] refused to accept the [[Voter turnout|voting turnout]] in favor of [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] (PPP) after the [[1977 Pakistani general election|general elections]] held in 1977.{{rp|25–26}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> The army, under Gen. [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]]–the [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|army chief]], began planning the military takeover of the federal government under [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto|Prime Minister Zulfikar Bhutto]], eventually leading the [[Operation Fair Play|coup d'état]] that suspended the writ of the [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]] amid responding to the call from one of the [[Asghar Khan|opposition leader]] of threatening to call for another civil war.{{rp|27}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> The military interference in civic matters grew further when the [[Martial law in Pakistan|martial law]] was extended for an infinite period despite maintaining that the elections to be held in 90-days prior.{{rp|30–31}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> At the request from the [[Saudi Government|Saudi monarchy]], the [[Zia Administration|Zia administration]] deployed the company of the [[Special Service Group|special forces]] to end [[1979 Grand Mosque seizure|seizure]] of the [[Great Mosque of Mecca|Grand Mosque]] in [[Mecca]] from [[Ikhwan|Islamists]].{{rp|265–280}}<ref name=Prouteau>{{cite book|last=Prouteau|first=Christian|title=Mémoires d'Etat|date=1998|publisher=Michel Lafon|page=265 through 277 and 280}}</ref>

The army under [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia]] weakened due to the army officers were needed in running the affairs of civic government and the controversial [[Jam Saqi case|military courts]] that held trials of the [[Movement for Restoration of Democracy|communists, dissidents, and the oppositions]] of [[Zia Administration|Zia's administration]].{{rp|31–32}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> In 1984–85, Pakistan lost the control of her [[Siachen Glacier|northern glaciers]] due to the [[Operation Meghdoot|successful expedition and penetration]] by the [[Indian Army]], and army had to engage in [[Siachen conflict|years long difficult battles]] with Indian Army to regain their areas from the Indian Army.{{rp|45}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> Concerns over the military officers and army personnel needed to counter the further advances by the Indian Army in Northern fronts in 1984, the martial law was lifted following the [[1984 Pakistani Islamisation programme referendum|referendum]] that approved Zia's presidency and provided a way of holding the [[1985 Pakistani general election|general elections]] in 1985.{{rp|45}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> The [[Martial Law Administrator of Balochistan|military control the under army administration]] had successfully [[Rahimuddin's Stabilization of Balochistan|stabilized]] the law and order in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] despite the [[Afghan refugees in Pakistan|massive illegal immigration]] from [[Afghanistan]], and issued the general amnesties to separatists and rebels.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ramsey |first1=Syed |title=Pakistan and Islamic Militancy in South Asia |date=2017 |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd |isbn=9789386367433 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=swY1DgAAQBAJ&q=Rahimuddin+balochistan+afghan&pg=PT84 |access-date=10 January 2019 |chapter={{small|(§Soviet-Afghan War)}}}}</ref> To address the Afghan containment and security, the army established the [[XII Corps (Pakistan)|XII Corps]] in 1985 that is permanently headquartered in [[Quetta]], that is designed to provide defence against the infiltration by the [[Afghan National Army]] from [[Afghanistan]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

[[File:Convoy trip in Mogadishu.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Pakistan Army's troops, as part of their [[United Nations Operation in Somalia II|deployment in Somalia]], patrolling off their [[Military mission|mission]] in the [[Mogadishu]] in Somalia in 1993<ref>{{cite web |title=United Nations Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM, UNITAF, UNOSOM II) |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent1693.html?pId=57&rnd=200 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116150020/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent1693.html?pId=57&rnd=200 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>]]

In 1985, the [[United States]] approved the military aid package, worth $4.02 billion, to Pakistan when the [[Soviet-Afghan war|mujaheddin fighting]] with the [[Soviet Union]] in [[Socialist Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] increased and intensified, with [[40th Army (Soviet Union)|Soviet Army]] began violating and attacking the insurgents in the [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas|tribal areas]] in Pakistan.{{rp|45–46}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> In 1986, the tensions with India increased when the [[Indian Army]]'s standing troops [[Operation Brasstacks|mobilized in combat position]] in Pakistan's southern frontier with India failing to give notification of exercise to Pakistan prior.{{rp|46}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /> In 1987–88, the [[XXX Corps (Pakistan)|XXX Corps]], headquartered in North of Punjab, and the [[XXXI Corps (Pakistan)|XXXI Corps]], headquartered in South of Punjab, was raised and established to provide defence against the Indian army's mass infiltration.<ref name="Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, Alam, 2012" />

After the [[Death and state funeral of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|aviation accident]] that resulted in passing of President Zia in 1988, the army organized the [[Exercise Zarb–e–Momin|massive military exercise]] with the [[Pakistan Air Force]] to evaluate the technological assessment of the weapon systems and operational readiness.{{rp|57}}<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing Inc., Cloughley, 2008" /><ref name="PMC-1">{{cite web|last1=Usman|first1=Shabbir|title=High Mark and Zarb-e-Momin |publisher=PakDef Military Consortium (PMC) (an [[NGO]]) |url=http://pakdef.org/exercise-high-mark-89-and-zarb-e-momin/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102233716/http://pakdef.org/exercise-high-mark-89-and-zarb-e-momin/ |archive-date=2 January 2016}}</ref> In the 1980s, Pakistan Army remained engage in the affairs of [[Middle East]], first being [[Pakistan Armed Forces deployments in Saudi Arabia|deployed in Saudi Arabia]] during the [[Iran–Iraq War]] in 1980–1988, and later overseeing operational support measures and combat actions during the [[Gulf War]] in 1990–91.<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" />

The period from 1991 to 1998 saw the army engaged in professionalism and proved its fighting skills in the [[Somali Civil War (1991-ongoing)|Somalian theater]] (1991–94), [[Bosnian-Serb War]] (on Bosnian side from 1994 to 1998<ref name="Profile">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KOMewMUw024C&q=isi+bosnia&pg=PT109|title=Secret Affairs Britain's Collusion with Radical Islam|last=Curtis|first=Mark|publisher=Profile|isbn=978-1-84765-301-7|edition=New updated|location=London|date=26 May 2011}}</ref>), and the other theaters of the [[Yugoslav Wars]], as part of the United Nation's deployment.{{rp|69–73}}<ref name="Bloomsbury Publishing USA, Harper, 2017">{{cite book |last1=Harper |first1=Stephen |title=Screening Bosnia: Geopolitics, Gender and Nationalism in Film and Television Images of the 1992–95 War |date=2017 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |location=NY U.S. |isbn=978-1-62356-707-1 |pages=160 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C_vUDQAAQBAJ&q=pakistan++bosnia&pg=PA70 |access-date=16 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(§The Bosnian War Goes East)}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia (UNOROFOR) |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent4cf6.html |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116100128/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent4cf6.html |archive-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1998, the army's [[Corps of Engineers, Pakistan Army|Corps of Engineers]] played a crucial role in providing the military administration of preparing the [[List of nuclear weapons tests of Pakistan|atomic weapon-testing]] in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] when the [[Pakistan Air Force|air force]]'s bombers flew and airlifted the [[Nuclear devices|atomic devices]].<ref name="Defence Journal, Azam, 2000">{{cite web|last=Azam |first=Rai Muhammad Saleh |title=When Mountains Move – The Story of Chagai: The Road to Chagai |work=The Nation |publisher=The Nation and Pakistan Defence Journal |year=2000 |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/june/chagai.htm |access-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401181303/http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/june/chagai.htm |archive-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> The controversial [[Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's relief of General Jehangir Karamat|relief]] of Gen. [[Jehangir Karamat]] by the [[Second Sharif ministry|Sharif administration]] reportedly disturbed the balance of the [[civil-military relations]] with the junior most Lt-Gen. [[Pervez Musharraf]] replacing it as chairman joint chiefs and the army chief in 1999.<ref name="Pakistan Today, Pervez, 2016">{{cite news |last1=Pervez |first1=Sohail |title=Same Page (but) of Different Books? |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/05/09/same-page-but-of-different-books/ |access-date=16 January 2019 |work=Pakistan Today |date=9 May 2016 |location=Islamabad, Pakistan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116151524/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/05/09/same-page-but-of-different-books/ |archive-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 1999, the [[Northern Light Infantry]], a paramilitary unit based in [[Gilgit]], slipped into [[Kargil district|Kargil]] that resulted in [[Kargil war|heavy border fighting]] with the [[Indian Army]], inflicted with heavy casualties on both sides.<ref name="Dawn Wire Service, staff, 1999">{{cite news |title=Gun-battle flares up along LoC |url=https://asianstudies.github.io/area-studies/SouthAsia/SAserials/Dawn/1999/22May99.html |access-date=16 January 2019 |work=asianstudies.github.io |agency=Dawn Newspapers |issue=5/21 |publisher=Dawn Wire Service |date=22 May 1999 |location=New Delhi, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116150004/https://asianstudies.github.io/area-studies/SouthAsia/SAserials/Dawn/1999/22May99.html |archive-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The ill-devised plan without meaningful consideration of the outcomes of the [[Kargil war|border war]] with India, the army under [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman joint chiefs]] Gen. [[Pervez Musharraf]] (also [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|army chief]] at that time) failed to its combat performance and suffered with [[Operation Gibraltar|similar outcomes as the previous plan]] in 1965, with the American [[military observer]]s in the [[Pakistan military]] famously commenting to [[news channels in Pakistan]]: Kargil was yet another example of Pakistan's (lack of) [[grand strategy]], repeating the follies of the [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|previous wars with India]]."{{rp|200}}<ref name="Horizon Books ( A Division of Ignited Minds Edutech P Ltd), Pandey & Singh, 2017">{{cite book |last1=Pandey |first1=Dr Hemant Kumar Pandey |last2=Singh |first2=Manish Raj |title=India's Major military and Rescue Operations |date=2017 |publisher=Horizon Books ( A Division of Ignited Minds Edutech P Ltd) |location=New Delhi, Ind. |isbn=9789386369390 |pages=270 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nn5IDwAAQBAJ&q=lack+of+grand+strategy+pakistan+kargil&pg=PA199 |access-date=16 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(§Pakistan)}}}}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_19-7-2004_pg3_1 "Editorial: Kargil: A blessing in disguise?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216075531/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_19-7-2004_pg3_1 |date=16 December 2012 }}, ''Daily Times'', 19 July 2004, Pakistan</ref><ref name="Dawn Newspaper, Hussain, 1999">{{cite news |last1=Husain |first1=Irfan |title=The Cost of Kargil |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1074346 |access-date=16 January 2019 |work=DAWN.COM |agency=Dawn Newspaper |publisher=Dawn Newspaper |date=14 August 1999 |location=Islamabad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106125442/https://www.dawn.com/news/1074346 |archive-date=6 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===21st Century: War performances===
====Religious insurgency and War on terror (2001 – present)====
Responding to the [[September 11 attacks|terror attacks]] in [[New York City|New York]] in the [[United States]], the army joined the [[US invasion of Afghanistan|combat actions in Afghanistan]] with the [[United States]] and simultaneously engage in [[2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff|military standoff]] with [[Indian Army]] in 2001–02. In 2004–06, the military observers from the army were deployed to guide the [[Sri Lankan army]] to end the [[Sri Lankan civil war|civil war]] with the [[LTTE Insurgency|Tamil fighters]].<ref>{{cite news |title='Pak played key role in Lanka's victory over Tamil Tigers' – Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/pak-played-key-role-in-lankas-victory-over-tamil-tigers/467482/ |work=archive.indianexpress.com |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710192208/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/pak-played-key-role-in-lankas-victory-over-tamil-tigers/467482/ |archive-date=10 July 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

To overcome the governance crises in 2004–07, the [[Pervez Musharraf|Musharraf administration]] appointed several army officers in the civilian institutions with some receiving extensions while others were deployed from their combat service– thus affecting the fighting capabilities and weakening the army.{{rp|37}}<ref name="Outlook Publishing, Mir">{{cite book |last1=Mir |first1=Amir |title=Out, Out Jackboot! |date=2008 |publisher=Outlook Publishing |location=Lahore, Punjab, Pak. |pages=100 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UjEEAAAAMBAJ&q=army+weakened+under+musharraf&pg=PA37 |access-date=16 January 2019 |format=google books}}</ref> Under Gen. Musharraf's leadership, the army's capabilities fighting the [[Pakistani Taleban|fanatic Talibans]] and [[Afghan Arabs in Pakistan|Afghan Arab]] fighters in Pakistan further weakened and suffered [[First Battle of Swat|serious setbacks]] in gaining control of the [[FATA|tribal belt]] that fell under the control of the [[Afghan Arabs in Pakistan|Afghan Arabs]] and [[Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan|Uzbek fighters]].{{rp|37}}<ref name="Outlook Publishing, Mir"/> From 2006 to 2009, the army fought the series of [[Violence in Pakistan 2006–09|bloody battles]] with the fanatic [[Afghan Arabs in Pakistan|Afghan Arabs]] and other [[Foreign Mujahideen|foreign fighters]] including the [[Siege of Lal Masjid|army action]] in a [[Lal Masjid, Islamabad|Red Mosque in Islamabad]] to control the [[Islamic extremism|religious fanaticism]].{{rp|37}}<ref name="Outlook Publishing, Mir"/> With the controversial assassination of [[Akbar Bugti|Baloch politician]] in 2006, the army had to engage in battles with the [[Baloch separatist]]s fighting for the Balochistan's autonomy.{{rp|37}}<ref name="Outlook Publishing, Mir"/>

In April 2007, the major reorganization of the commands of the army was taken place under Gen. [[Ahsan Saleem Hayat]], the [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|vice army chief]] under Gen. Musharraf, established the Southern, Central, and the Northern Commands.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} With Gen. Musharraf's resignation and Gen. [[Ashfaq Parvez Kayani]] becoming the [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|army chief]], the army realigned itself to review its combat policies and withdrew officers in civilian institutions to focus on its primary constitutional mission to [[Responsibility to protect|protect]] and [[Area of responsibility|responsible]] in 2009–14.{{rp|37}}<ref name="Outlook Publishing, Mir"/><ref name="Masood">{{cite news |last=Masood |first=Salman |date=1 August 2009 |title=Musharraf Decree in '07 Was Illegal, Court Rules |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/01/world/asia/01pstan.html?ref=world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701044517/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/01/world/asia/01pstan.html?ref=world |archive-date=1 July 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In 2012, there was a serious accident involving the entire battalion from the [[Northern Light Infantry]] when the [[2012 Siachen Glacier avalanche|avalanche struck]] the battalion base in [[Siachen Glacier|Siachen]], entrapping 135 soldiers and including several army officers.<ref name="aljazeera1">{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/04/20124755454785414.html|title=Huge search for trapped Pakistani soldiers|date=7 April 2012|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=10 April 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409214140/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/04/20124755454785414.html|archive-date=9 April 2012}}</ref>

In 2013–16, the [[War in North-West Pakistan|homegrown far-right guerrilla war]] with the [[Pakistani Taleban|Taliban]], [[Afghan Arabs in Pakistan|Afghan Arabs]], and the [[Terrorism in Central Asia|Central Asian]] fighters took the [[Operation Zarb-e-Azb|decisive turn in favor of the army]] under [[Third Sharif ministry|Sharif administration]], eventually gaining the control of the entire country and established the writ of the constitution in the affected lawless regions.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sabin Agha|first1=Peter Oborne|title=Pakistan is winning its war on terror|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/12/pakistan-is-winning-its-war-on-terror/|access-date=21 September 2017|work=[[The Spectator]]|date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012042856/https://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/12/pakistan-is-winning-its-war-on-terror/|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> As of its current deployment as of 2019, the army [[India–Pakistan border skirmishes (2016–2018)|remained engage in border fighting]] with the Indian Army while [[Pakistan Armed Forces deployments in Saudi Arabia|deploying]] its combat strike brigade teams in [[Saudi Arabia]] in a response of [[Saudi-led intervention in Yemen|Saudi intervention in Yemen]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Karim |first1=Umer |title=Why Pakistan has troops in Saudi Arabia – and what it means for the Middle East |url=http://theconversation.com/why-pakistan-has-troops-in-saudi-arabia-and-what-it-means-for-the-middle-east-92613 |access-date=16 January 2019 |work=The Conversation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116100230/http://theconversation.com/why-pakistan-has-troops-in-saudi-arabia-and-what-it-means-for-the-middle-east-92613 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Organization==
===Command and control structure===
{{Pakistan Army}}
{{Main|List of serving Generals of the Pakistan Army}}
Leadership in the army is provided by the [[Minister of Defence (Pakistan)|Minister of Defense]], usually leading and controlling the direction of the department of the army from the Army Secretariat-I at the [[Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)|Ministry of Defense]], with the [[Defence Secretary of Pakistan|Defense Secretary]] who is responsible for the bureaucratic affairs of the army's department.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leadership and Command of Pakistan Army |url=http://www.mod.gov.pk/mod/userfiles1/file/Organization%20of%20Defence%20Division.pdf |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404092109/http://www.mod.gov.pk/mod/userfiles1/file/Organization%20of%20Defence%20Division.pdf |archive-date=4 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]] empowers the [[President of Pakistan]], an elected civilian official, to act as the [[Commander-in-Chief]] while the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]], an elected civilian, to act as the [[Chief Executive Officer|Chief Executive]].<ref>The [http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Article 243(2)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205071402/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html |date=5 February 2012 }} in [http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Chapter 2: The Armed Forces in Part XII: Miscellaneous]   of the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]</ref> The [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]], an appointed [[four-star rank]] army general, is the highest general officer, under Chairman [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]] and Secretary Defense, who acts as the principal military adviser on the [[Expeditionary warfare|expeditionary]] and [[Army|land]]/[[ground warfare]] affairs, and a senior member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]]– a military body that advises and briefs the elected [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] and its [[Cabinet of Pakistan|executive cabinet]] on national security affairs and operational military matters under the [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman]] of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan">{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Hameed |title=Command and Structure of Pakistan Army |url=http://pakdef.org/commandstructure/ |website=www.pakdef.org |publisher=PakDef Military Consortium |access-date=16 January 2019 |date=1 June 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107030932/http://pakdef.org/commandstructure/ |archive-date=7 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The single combat headquarter, the [[GHQ (Pakistan Army)|Army GHQ]], is located in [[Rawalpindi Cantonment]] in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] in [[Pakistan]], in the vicinity of the [[Joint Staff Headquarters (Pakistan)|Joint Staff Headquarters]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/> The [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] controls and commands the army at all levels of operational command, and is assisted the number of [[Staff (military)|Principal Staff Officers]] (PSOs) who are [[three-star rank]] generals.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>
The military administration under the [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|army chief]] operating at the [[GHQ (Pakistan Army)|Army GHQ]] including the appointed Principal Staff Officers:

* [[Chief of General Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of General Staff]], under whom the Military Operations and Intelligence Directorates function.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>
* Chief of Logistics Staff.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>
* [[Quartermaster general|Quartermaster General]] (QMG).<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>
* [[Master General of Ordnance (Pakistan)|Master General of Ordnance]] (MGO).<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>
* [[Engineer-in-Chief (Pakistan Army)|Engineer-in-Chief]], the chief army engineer and topographer.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>
* [[Judge Advocate General (Pakistan Army)|Judge Advocate General]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>
* [[Military Secretary (Pakistan)|Military Secretary]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>
* Comptroller of Civilian Personnel.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>

In 2008, a major introduction was made in the military bureaucracy at the [[General Headquarters (Pakistan Army)|Army GHQ]] under Gen. [[Ashfaq Parvez Kayani]], when two new PSO positions were introduced: the Inspector-General of Arms and the Inspector-General Communications and [[Information Technology|IT]].<ref>Iftikhar A. Khan. [http://www.dawn.com/2008/09/30/top1.htm "Kayani shakes up army command"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003034343/http://www.dawn.com/2008/09/30/top1.htm |date=3 October 2008 }} ''Dawn'' (Pakistan), 30 September 2008</ref>

The Army's [[corps]] are divided into three regional-level [[Command (military formation)|commands]] which are assigned for defending the [[Administrative units of Pakistan|territories]] of [[Pakistan]].

==Personnel==
===Commissioned officers===
{{Main|Army ranks and insignia of Pakistan}}

The [[Commissioned officer|commissioned]] [[Army ranks and insignia of Pakistan|army ranks and insignia]] authorized in the Pakistan Army are modified and patterned on the [[British Army]]'s [[British Army officer rank insignia|officer ranks and insignia]] system.<ref name="Ranks and insignia">{{cite web |title=Ranks and insignia |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent6e8d.html?pId=298 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |publisher=Ranks and insignia |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825002603/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent6e8d.html?pId=298 |archive-date=25 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> There are several paths of becoming the commissioned officer in the army including the admission and required graduation from the [[Pakistan Military Academy]] in [[Kakul Military Academy|Kakul]]. {{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} To become an officer in the army, the academic four-year [[college degree]] is required for the candidates to become officers in the army, and therefore they are designated by insignia unique to their staff community.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

Selection to the officer candidates is highly competitive with ~320–700 individuals are allowed to enter in the [[Pakistan Military Academy]] annually, with a small number of already [[Graduate student|graduated]] physicians, specialists, [[Veterinary physician|veterinaries]] and the engineers from the [[Universities in Pakistan|civilian universities]] are directly recruited in the administrative staff corps such as [[Pakistan Army Medical Corps|Medical Corps]], Veterinary Corps, [[Corps of Engineers, Pakistan Army|Engineering Corps]], Dental Corps and these graduated individuals are the heart of the administrative corps.{{rp|293}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996">{{cite book |last1=Blood |first1=Peter R. |title=Pakistan: A Country Study |date=1996 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |location=Bloomington, US |isbn=9780788136313 |pages=400 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DRMTO7mn7hIC&q=The+product+of+a+highly+competitive+selection+process,+members+of+the+officer+corps+have+completed+twelve+years+of+education+and+spend+two+years+at+the+Pakistan+Military+Academy&pg=PA293 |access-date=16 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter=(§National Security)}}</ref> The product of a highly competitive selection process, members of the staff corps have completed twelve years of education in their respected fields (such as attending the schools and universities), and has to spend two years at the Pakistan Military Academy, with their time divided about equally between [[military training]] and academic work to bring them up to a baccalaureate education level, which includes [[English-language]] skills.{{rp|293}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996"/> The Department of Army also offers employment to civilians in financial management, accountancy, engineering, construction, and administration, and has currently employed 6,500 civilians.<ref name="Infrastructures Development"/>

The military officers in the Pakistani military seek retirement between the ages of forty-two and sixty, depending on their ranks, and often seeks employment in the [[Government of Pakistan|federal government]] or the [[Corporate sector of Pakistan|private sector]] where the pay scales are higher as well as the opportunity for gain considerably greater.{{rp|294}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" />

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! scope="row" | Rank
! scope="col" | O-10 !! scope="col" | O-9 !! scope="col" | O-8 !! scope="col" | O-7 !! scope="col" | O-6 !! scope="col" | O-5 !! scope="col" | O-4 !! scope="col" | O-3 !! scope="col" | O-2 !! scope="col" | O-1 !! scope="col" | O-1
|-
! scope="row" | Insignia
|[[File:OF-10 Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
||[[File:OF-9 Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
||[[File:OF-8 PakistanArmy.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
||[[File:OF-7 Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
||[[File:OF-6 Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
||[[File:OF-5 Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
||[[File:OF-4 Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
||[[File:OF-3 Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
||[[File:OF-2 Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
||[[File:OF-1(B) Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
|| [[File:OF-1(A) Pakistan Army.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
|-
! scope="row" | Title
|[[Field marshal (Pakistan)|Field Marshal]]
| [[General (Pakistan)|General]]
| [[Lieutenant general (Pakistan)|Lieutenant-General]]
| [[Major-General]]
| [[Brigadier]]
| [[Colonel (Pakistan)|Colonel]]
| [[Lieutenant-Colonel]]
| [[Major (rank)|Major]]
| [[Captain (Land)|Captain]]
| [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|Lieutenant]]
| [[Second Lieutenant]]
|-
! scope="row" | Abbreviation
|FM||Gen.||Lt-Gen.||Maj-Gen.||Brig.||Col.||Lt-Col.||Maj.||Capt.||Lt.||2nd-Lt.
|-
! scope="row" | NATO Code
|OF-10||OF-9||OF-8||OF-7||OF-6||OF-5||OF-4||OF-3||OF-2||OF-1||OF-1
|-
! scope="row" | Rank Hierarchy
|[[File:US-O11 insignia.svg|30px]]<br />[[Five-star rank|Five-star]]||[[File:US-O10 insignia.svg|40px]]<br />[[Four-star rank|Four-star]]||[[File:US-O9 insignia.svg|40px]]<br />[[Three-star rank|Three-star]]||[[File:US-O8 insignia.svg|30px]]<br />[[Two-star rank|Two-star]]||[[File:US-O7 insignia.svg|15px]]<br />[[One-star rank|One-star]]
|}

===Warrant officers===

The Pakistan Army uniquely uses the [[junior commissioned officer]] (JCO) ranks, equivalent of the [[Warrant officer (United States)|Warrant officers]] or the [[Limited duty officer]]s in the [[United States military]], inherited from the former [[British Indian Army]] introduced by the [[British Army]] in [[India]] between the enlisted and officer ranks.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} The JCOs are single-track specialists with their subject of expertise in their particular part of the job and initially appointed (NS1) after risen from their enlisted ranks, receiving the promotion (SM3) from the commanding officer.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

The usage of the [[junior commissioned officer]] is the continuation of the former [[Viceroy's commissioned officer]] rank, and the JCO ranking system benefited the army since there was a large gap existed between the officers and the enlisted personnel at the time of the establishment of the new army in 1947.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} Over the several years, the JCOs rank system has outlived its usefulness because the educational level of the enlisted personnel has risen and the army has more comfortably adopted the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]]'s ranking platform than the British.<ref name="Hamid Hussain, Defence Journal of Pakistan" /> Promotion to the [[Junior commissioned officer|JCO]] ranks remains a powerful and influential incentive for that enlisted personnel desire not to attend the accredited four-year college.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Junior Commissioned Officer/Warrant Officer ranks
|-
! scope="row" | Insignia
| [[File:10.Pakistan Army-SMCWO.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
| [[File:09.Pakistan Army-MCWO.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
| [[File:08.Pakistan Army-CWO.svg|frameless|137x137px]]
|-
! scope="row" | Infantry/other title
| [[Subedar-major|Subedar-Major]]
| [[Subedar]]
| [[Naib Subedar]]
|-
! scope="row" | Cavalry/armor title
| [[Risaldar Major]]
| [[Risaldar]]
| [[Naib Risaldar]]
|}

===Enlisted personnel===
{{Main|Quota system in Pakistan}}

The recruiting and enlistment in the army is nationwide but the army's recruiting command maintains an ethnic balance, with those who turned away are encourage to join the either the [[Pakistan Marines|Marines]] or the [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]].{{rp|292}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" /> Most enlisted personnel had come from the [[Pakistani village life|poor and rural families]] with many had only rudimentary literacy skills in the [[History of Pakistan|past]], but with the increase in the [[Education in Pakistan|affordable education]] have risen to the [[Matriculation in Pakistan|matriculation]] level (12th Grade).{{rp|292}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" /> In the past, the army recruits had to re-educate the illiterate personnel while processing them gradually through a paternalistically run regimental training center, teaching the official language, [[Urdu]], if necessary, and given a period of elementary education before their military training actually starts.{{rp|292}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" />

In the thirty-six-week training period, they develop an attachment to the regiment they will remain with through much of their careers and begin to develop a sense of being a Pakistani rather than primarily a member of a tribe or a village.{{rp|292}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" /> Enlisted personnel usually serve for eighteen to twenty years, before retiring or gaining a commission, during which they participate in regular military training cycles and have the opportunity to take academic courses to help them advance.{{rp|292}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" />

The [[Non-commissioned officer|noncommissioned officers]] (or enlists) wear respective regimental color chevrons on the right sleeve.{{rp|292}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" /> Center point of the uppermost chevron must remain 10&nbsp;cm from the point of the shoulder.{{rp|292}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" /> The Company/battalion appointments wear the appointments badges on the right wrist.{{rp|292}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" /> Pay scales and incentives are greater and attractive upon enlistment including the allocation of land, free housing, and financial aid to attend the colleges and universities.{{rp|294}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" /> Retirement age for the enlisted personnel varies and depends on the enlisted ranks that they have attained during their services.{{rp|294}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" />

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Structure of enlisted ranks of the Pakistan Army
|-
! scope="row" | Pay grade !! scope="col" | E-9 !! scope="col" | E-8 !! scope="col" | E-7 !! scope="col" | E-6 !! scope="col" | E-5 !! scope="col" | E-4 !! scope="col" | E-3 !! scope="col" | E-2 !! scope="col" | E-1
|-
! scope="row" | Insignia
| [[File:07.Pakistan Army-SGM.svg|frameless|100px]]
| [[File:06.Pakistan Army-MSG.svg|frameless|100px]]
| [[File:05.Pakistan Army-SFC.svg|frameless|100px]]
| [[File:04.Pakistan Army-SSG.svg|frameless|100px]]
| [[File:03.Pakistan Army-SGT.svg|frameless|100px]]
| [[File:02.Pakistan Army-CPL.svg|frameless|100px]]
| [[File:01.Pakistan Army-PFC.svg|frameless|100px]]
| No insignia
| No insignia
|-
! scope="row" | Title
| [[Battalion Havildar Major]]/[[Daffadar|Regimental Daffadar Major]]
| [[Battalion Havildar Major|Battalion Quartermaster Havildar]]/[[Daffadar|Regimental Quartermaster Daffadar]]
| [[Company Havildar Major]]/[[Daffadar|Squadron Daffadar Major]]
| [[Company Quartermaster Havildar]]/[[Daffadar|Squadron Quartermaster Daffadar]]
| [[Havildar]]/[[Daffadar]]
| [[Naik (military rank)|Naik]]/[[Lance Daffadar]]
| [[Lance Naik]]/[[Acting Lance Daffadar]]
| [[Sepoy]]/[[Sowar]]
| No Equivalent
|-
! scope="row" | Abbreviation
| BHM/RDM || BQMH/RQD || CHM/SDM || CQMH/SQD || Hav/Dfdr || Nk/L Dfdr || L/Nk/Actg L/Dfdr || Sep/Swr || NE
|-
! scope="row" | NATO Code
| OR-9 || OR-8 || OR-7 || OR-6 || OR-5 || OR-4 || OR-3 || OR-2 || OR-1
|-
! scope="row" | U.S. Code
| [[Sergeant major|SGM]]||[[Master sergeant|MSG]]||[[Sergeant first class|SFC]]||[[Staff sergeant|SSG]]||[[Sergeant|SGT]]||[[Corporal|CPL]]||[[Private first class|PFC]]||[[Private (rank)|PVT]]||–
|}

===Recruitment and training===

[[File:Kakul Passingoutprade Oweis.JPG|thumb|250px|right|The [[Passing out (military)|passing out]] (graduation) of cadets from the [[Pakistan Military Academy]] in [[Kakul]] in [[2007 in Pakistan|2007]]. The education and military training last for two years before cadets become officers.<ref name="Pakistan Military Academy - Cadets Training"/>]]

Prior to August 1947, the [[British Army]]'s recruiting administration had recruited the enlists from the districts of the [[Jhelum District|Jhelum]], [[Rawalpindi District|Rawalpindi]], and [[Attock District|Campbellpur]] that dominated the recruitment flows.<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" /> From 1947 to 1971, the Pakistan Army was predominantly favored to recruit from [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] and was popular in the country as the "Punjabi Army" because of heavy recruiting interests coming from the [[Pakistani village life|rural and poor families]] of villages in Punjab as well as being the most populous province of Pakistan.{{rp|149}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Khan |first1=Adeel |title=Politics of Identity: Ethnic Nationalism and the State in Pakistan |date=2005 |publisher=SAGE |isbn=9780761933038 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kUdhQEEGtTYC&q=pakistan+army+quota+Bhutto+punjabi&pg=PA149 |access-date=19 January 2019 |chapter=(§The military rule)}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Roy |first1=Kaushik |title=Military Manpower, Armies and Warfare in South Asia |date=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781317321279 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GpNECgAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army+punjabi+army+1970&pg=PT126 }}</ref>

Even as of today, the Pakistan Army's recruiters struggle to enlist citizens and their selfless commitment to the military from the [[Urbanisation in Pakistan|urban areas]] (i.e. [[Karachi]] and [[Peshawar]]) where the preference of the [[college education]] is quite popular (especially attending [[Postgraduate education|post-graduate]] schools in the [[United States]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations|English-speaking countries]]) as well as working in the settled [[Industry of Pakistan|private industry]] for lucrative salaries and benefits, while the military enlistment still comes from the most rural and remote areas of Pakistan, where commitment to the military is much greater than in the [[Urbanisation in Pakistan|metropolitan cities]].{{rp|31}}<ref name="Oxford University Press, Fair, 2014" />

After 1971, the [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto#President of Pakistan|Bhutto administration]] introduced the [[Quota system in Pakistan|Quota system]] and drastically reduced the officers and enlists from Punjab and gave strong preference to residents in [[Sindh]], [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]], and [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]], and such policy continue to exists to maintain an ethnic balance in the army.{{rp|163}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Malik |first1=Iftikhar Haider |title=The History of Pakistan |date=2008 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=9780313341373 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6NfsuDACQwC&q=pakistan+army+quota+Bhutto&pg=PA163 |access-date=19 January 2019 |chapter=(§Zia. Bhutto, and PPP)}}</ref> Those who are turned away are strongly encourage to join the [[Pakistan Marines Corps|Marines Corps]] or the [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]].<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" />

In 1991, the department of the army drastically reduced the size of personnel from Punjab, downsizing the army personnel to 63%, and issues acceptable medical waivers interested enlists while encouraging citizens of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Sindh]]. This decision has given a fair chance to every citizen of Pakistan to be part of the Pakistan Army as each district possesses a fixed percentage of seats in all branches of the Army, as per census records.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} By 2003–05, the department of army continued its policy by drastically downsizing the personnel from Punjab to 43–70%.<ref>[http://archives.dawn.com/2007/09/14/top13.htm Punjab's dominance in Army being reduced: ISPR -DAWN – Top Stories; 14 September 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428145353/http://archives.dawn.com/2007/09/14/top13.htm |date=28 April 2011 }}. Archives.dawn.com (14 September 2007).</ref>

The Department of Army has relaxed its recruitment and medical standards in [[Sindh]] and [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] where the height requirement of 5 feet 4 inches is considered acceptable even with the enlists educational level at eighth grade is acceptable for the waiver; since the army recruiters take responsibility of providing education to 12th grade to the interested enlists from Balochistan and Sindh.{{rp|31}}<ref name="Oxford University Press, Fair, 2014" /> In Punjab and [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]] where the recruitment is popular, the height requirement remains to be at 5 feet 6 inches with minimum education of 10th grade.<ref name="Oxford University Press, Fair, 2014" />

The army cadets undergo training in [[Kakol, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Kakul]] at the [[Pakistan Military Academy]] where basic training takes place. Such training usually lasts for two years until the cadets are able to meet their graduation requirements from the academy.<ref name="Pakistan Military Academy - Cadets Training">{{cite web |title=Cadets Training |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent48b6.html |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Military Academy – Cadets Training |access-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173404/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent48b6.html |archive-date=22 September 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> All the cadets have to attend and be trained at the PMA regardless of attending the military schools and colleges in other parts of the country.<ref name="Pakistan Military Academy - Cadets Training"/>

Duration wise, it is one of the longest military training period in the country, and the training continues for two years until the cadet is being able [[Passing out (military)|pass out]] from the academy, before selecting the college to start the career of their choice in the military.<ref name="Pakistan Military Academy - Cadets Training"/>

===Women and religion in the Pakistan Army===
{{Main|Women in the Pakistan Armed Forces}}
[[File:MONUSCO's Pakistani Female Engagement Team in Uvira and Sange, Democratic Republic of the Congo (49595451782).jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[MONUSCO]]'s Pakistani Female Engagement Team in [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]]]

Women have been part of the Pakistan Army since 1947, and from the army's inception to 2018 approximately 4,000 women served the army though most women were doctors and civilians.<ref name="Pakistan Today, desk, 2019">{{cite news |last1=Webdesk |first1=staff |title=Women in Pakistani Military: A story of feminine valour in pictures |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/15/women-in-pak-military-a-story-of-feminine-valour-in-pictures |access-date=20 January 2019 |agency=Pakistan Today |date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093711/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/15/women-in-pak-military-a-story-of-feminine-valour-in-pictures/ |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the years of 1947, '48 and '49, women were inducted into the Women's Guard Section of the [[Pakistan National Guard|National Guard]] and trained in medical work, welfare, and clerical positions (this was later disbanded).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/752421/flashback-pakistan-womens-national-guard|title=Flashback: Pakistan Women's National Guard|website=[[Tribune Pakistan]]|author=Samra Amir|date=23 August 2014|access-date=11 December 2020|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107095006/https://tribune.com.pk/story/752421/flashback-pakistan-womens-national-guard|url-status=live}}</ref> Pakistan Army has a separate cadet course for women which is known as 'Lady Cadet Course', female cadets are trained in [[Pakistan Military Academy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/312575-failed-enemies-feeling-frustrated-imposing-hybrid-war-gen-bajwa|title=Pak Army will continue to support govt in the national interest: Gen Bajwa|website=geo.tv|date=10 October 2020|access-date=11 December 2020|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013021131/https://www.geo.tv/latest/312575-failed-enemies-feeling-frustrated-imposing-hybrid-war-gen-bajwa|url-status=live}}</ref> After induction, women army officers go through a six-month military training at the Pakistan Military Academy which is not like their male counterparts. The comprehensive training includes military education and development of physical efficiency skills.<ref name="Women dress">{{cite news |last1=Newspaper |first1=the |title=Women soldiers and their dress |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/668197 |work=DAWN.COM |publisher=Dawn Newspaper |date=22 October 2011 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093725/https://www.dawn.com/news/668197 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Pakistan is the only Muslim-majority nation which appoints women to [[general officer]] ranks, such as [[Major-General]] [[Shahida Malik]], the first woman army officer and military physician by profession who was promoted to a two-star rank.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dr Shahida becomes first woman general|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/43593|access-date=15 January 2018|work=Dawn|date=18 June 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153418/https://www.dawn.com/news/43593|archive-date=31 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2013, the Army trained female paratrooper officers for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Women in Combat |url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/women-in-combat/ |access-date=20 January 2019 |work=Indian Defence Review |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417045138/http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/women-in-combat/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/576801/pakistan-army-first-female-paratroopers-make-history/|title=Pakistan Army: First female paratroopers make history|work=The Express Tribune|date=14 July 2013|access-date=14 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716165719/http://tribune.com.pk/story/576801/pakistan-army-first-female-paratroopers-make-history/|archive-date=16 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1028983|title=First Pakistani women paratroopers make history|website=dawn.com|date=14 July 2013|access-date=11 December 2020|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415220835/https://www.dawn.com/news/1028983|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, [[Nigar Johar]] became the first female [[Lieutenant general (Pakistan)|Lieutenant General]] in the army, she was from the [[Pakistan Army Medical Corps]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1566261/army-gets-first-woman-three-star-general|title=Army gets first woman three-star general|website=dawn.com|date=1 July 2020|access-date=11 December 2020|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013223442/https://www.dawn.com/news/1566261/army-gets-first-woman-three-star-general|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Army recruits from all religions in Pakistan including [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hindus]], [[Sikhism in Pakistan|Sikhs]], [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrians]], [[Christianity in Pakistan|Christians]] who have held command-level positions.<ref name="Geo News, Ode, 2017">{{cite news |title=An ode to minorities in Pakistan's armed forces |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/156717-1965-war-an-ode-to-minorities-in-pakistans-armed-forces |access-date=20 January 2019 |work=geo.tv |publisher=Geo News |date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093827/https://www.geo.tv/latest/156717-1965-war-an-ode-to-minorities-in-pakistans-armed-forces |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Religious services are provided by the Chaplain Corps for Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and Zoroastrians.<ref name="Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, Alam, 2012" />

In 1993, Major-General [[Julian Peter]] was the first Christian to be appointed at the command position while [[Hercharn Singh]] became the first Sikh to be commissioned in the army. Between 1947 and 2000, a policy of restricting [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hindus]] prior enlisting in the Pakistan Army was in practice until the policy was reversed by the federal government.<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, Dev, 2015">{{cite news |last1=Dev |first1=Kapil |title=Where should a Pakistani Hindu go? |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1189939/where-should-a-pakistani-hindu-go |access-date=20 January 2019 |work=DAWN.COM |agency=Dawn Newspaper |publisher=Dawn Newspaper |date=23 June 2015 |location=Islamabad, Pakistan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119165019/https://www.dawn.com/news/1189939/where-should-a-pakistani-hindu-go |archive-date=19 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, army recruiters began recruiting Hindus into the army and people of all faith or no faith can be promoted to any rank or commanding position in the army.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pak army recruits first Hindu cadet – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pak-army-recruits-first-Hindu-cadet/articleshow/2023276.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604161548/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pak-army-recruits-first-Hindu-cadet/articleshow/2023276.cms |archive-date=4 June 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sikh and Hindu officers usher in a new era in Pakistani Army |url=https://www.sikhnet.com/daily-news/sikh-and-hindu-officers-a-new-era-pakistan-army |access-date=20 January 2019 |work=SikhNet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010758/https://www.sikhnet.com/daily-news/sikh-and-hindu-officers-a-new-era-pakistan-army |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Equipment==
{{Main|List of equipment of the Pakistan Army|List of active Pakistan military aircraft|Defence industry of Pakistan}}
 {{multiple image
| width             = 200
| footer            = Weapon systems of Pakistan Army
| footer_align      = center
| image1            = Bomb Shells produced at POF WAH.jpg
| alt1              = Bomb Shells produced at POF WAH
| caption1          = {{small|The ordnance and [[Chemical explosive|explosives]] produced by the [[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]]}}
| image2            = Al-Khalid IDEAS 2012.jpg
| alt2              = Tank
| caption2          = {{small|The [[Al-Khalid tank|Al-Khalid]] [[Main Battle Tank|MBT]] designed and built by the [[Heavy Industries Taxila|HIT]] in [[Taxila]]}}
| image3            = Anza Mk II.JPG
| alt3              = Anza
| caption3          = {{small|The [[Anza (missile)|Anza]] [[Man-portable air-defense system|MANPAD]] designed and built by [[Kahuta Research Laboratories|KRL]]}}
}}

The equipment and weapon system of Pakistan Army is developed and manufactured by the [[Defense industry of Pakistan|local weapons industry]] and modern arms have been imported from  [[China]], [[Turkey]], [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]], [[France]] and other countries in the [[European Union]].<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" />

The [[Heavy Industries Taxila]] (HIT), [[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]] (POF), [[National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation|National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation]] (NRTC) and the [[Pakistan Aeronautical Complex]] (PAC) are the major defense contractors for the Army.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Shabbir, industry, 2003">{{cite web |last1=Shabbir |first1=Usman |title=Pakistan Arms Industry |url=http://pakdef.org/industry/ |website=www.pakdef.org |publisher=« PakDef Military Consortium |access-date=21 January 2019 |date=1 June 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210030823/http://pakdef.org/industry/ |archive-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The industrial concern GIDS has also emerged as a major manufacturer of drones and other defence equipment.

The [[Heavy Industries Taxila]] designs and manufactured [[main battle tank]]s (MBT) in cooperation with the [[China]] and [[Ukraine]], while the fire arms and standard rifles for the army are licensed manufactured by the [[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]] (POF).<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Shabbir, industry, 2003"/> The Chinese cooperation and further assistance with the Pakistan Army is vital in designing, vehicular construction, and material manufacturing of the [[main battle tank]]s.{{rp|xxxv}}<ref name="Oxford University Press, Small, 2014">{{cite book |last1=Small |first1=Andrew |title=The China-Pakistan Axis: Asia's New Geopolitics |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780190257576 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ehQoBgAAQBAJ&q=defence+procurement+of+pakistan+China&pg=PR34 |access-date=21 January 2019 }}</ref> The standard rifle for the army is the [[Germany|German]] designed and [[Pakistan Ordnance Factories|POF manufactured]] [[Heckler & Koch G3|Koch G3P4]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Shabbir, industry, 2003"/>

The defense funding for the army was preferential, which was described as the "lion's share", however, in light of [[China–Pakistan Economic Corridor|CPEC]]'s security demanding to secure the seaborne borders, the army financial planners significantly lowered its share in a view of strengthening the under-funded [[Pakistan Navy|Pakistan navy]].<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, BS Syed, 2018">{{cite news |last1=Syed |first1=Baqir Sajjad |title=Budget 2018–19: Rs1.1 trillion proposed for defence |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1404337 |access-date=21 January 2019 |work=DAWN.COM |agency=Dawn Newspaper |publisher=Dawn Newspaper |date=28 April 2018 |location=Islamabad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122043918/https://www.dawn.com/news/1404337 |archive-date=22 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Uniforms==
{{Main|Khaki}}
From 1947 to 1971, the [[Army Service Uniform|army service uniform]] of the Pakistan Army closely resembled to the [[British Army uniform|army uniform]] of the [[British Army]], but the uniform changed in preference of [[Sherwani]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} The army service uniform consists of a light khaki (tan) coloured long-sleeved shirt with matching trousers. It is accompanied by beret or peaked cap depending on the regiment the soldier belongs to. Organizational headwear, sashes, belts, spats, medals, lanyards, and other achievements are added for ceremonial duties. Unlike other countries in [[South Asia]], Pakistan army [[officer]] uniforms don't include a [[aiguillette]], rather it is used mostly by [[Aide-de-camp|aid-de-camps]]. Senior officers wear a greenish-khaki stand-and-fall collared tunic, called the [[Sherwani]], with two front pockets, cap of a synthetic material, trousers with two pockets.{{rp|222}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arif |first1=Khalid Mahmud |title=Khaki Shadows: Pakistan 1947–1997 |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780195793963 |pages=452 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nf0vAQAAIAAJ&q=khaki+uniform }}</ref>

In the 1970s, the [[Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)|Ministry of Defense]] introduced the first camouflage pattern in the [[Army Combat Uniform|army combat uniform]], resembling the British-styled [[Disruptive Pattern Material|DPM]] but this was changed in 1990 in favor of adopting the [[U.S. Woodland]] which continued until 2010.<ref name="Pakistan Army- Camopedia">{{cite web |title=Pakistan – Camopedia |url=http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=Pakistan |website=camopedia.org |access-date=22 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213061354/http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=Pakistan |archive-date=13 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> In winter front such as in the [[Siachen]] and near the [[Wakhan Corridor]], the Pakistan Army personnel wears the heavy winter all white military gear.<ref>{{cite web |title=Siachen Glacier |work=Travel with Hassaan |date=17 October 2011 |url=https://hassaanrabbani.wordpress.com/tag/siachen-glacier/ |access-date=22 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123010905/https://hassaanrabbani.wordpress.com/tag/siachen-glacier/ |archive-date=23 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2011, the camouflage pattern of the brown and black [[Battle Dress Uniform|BDU]] was issued and is worn by the officers and the army troops in their times of deployments.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} The Pakistan Army has introduced arid camouflage patterns in uniform and resized qualification badges which are now service ribbons and no longer worn along with the ranks are now embroidered and are on the chest.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} The name is badged on the right pocket and the left pocket displays achievement badges by Pakistan Army.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Flag of Pakistan is placed over the black embroidered formation sign on the left arm and class course insignias are put up for the Goldish uniform,{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} decorations and awards{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} and the ranks.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

{{Gallery
|title=Military Uniforms in the Pakistan Army
|width=160
|height=170
|align=center
| File:Ansar-Burney.jpg |[[General (Pakistan)|General]] [[Ashfaq Parvez Kayani|Kayani]] wearing the standard Sherwani-based [[Army Service Uniform|ceremonial uniform]] of the Pakistan Army
|File:Anwar afridi.jpg|The standard [[Army Service Uniform|army service uniform]] of the Pakistan Army, worn by officers and enlisted personnel
|File:Raheel Sharif.jpg|The former [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|COAS]], Gen. [[Raheel Sharif|R. Sharif]]: The standard [[Battle Dress Uniform|battle dress uniform]] of the Pakistan Army
|File:MG Jilani.jpg|The [[Army Service Uniform|army service uniform]] of the Pakistan Army closely resembled to the [[British Army uniform|army uniform]] of the [[British Army]] as seen and active from 1947–1970s
||The Surgeon-General, Lt-Gen. [[Nigar Johar]]: the standard [[Mess dress uniform]] that is worn during the ceremonial functions and civic gatherings.
}}

==Components and structure==
===Army components and branches===

Since its organization that commenced in 1947, the army's functionality is broadly maintained in two main branches: Combat Arms and Administrative Services.{{rp|46}}<ref name="NYU Press, Cheema, 2002"/>{{rp|570}}<ref name="Area Handbook, US Govt. 1971">{{cite book |last1=U.S. Government Printing Office |first1=USGPO |title=Area Handbook for Pakistan |date=1971 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |pages=1000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IdLXAAAAMAAJ&q=+functional+categories |access-date=17 January 2019 |format=snippet view}}</ref> From 1947 to 1971, the Pakistan Army had responsibility of maintaining the British-built [[List of forts in Pakistan|Forts]], till the new and modern garrisons were built in post 1971, and performs the non-combat duties such as engineering and construction.<ref name="Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., Coughley" />

Currently, the Army's combat services are kept in active-duty personnel and reservists that operate as members of either [[Pakistan Army Reserve|Reserves]], the [[National Guard (Pakistan)|National Guard]] and the paramilitary [[Civil Armed Forces]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" /> The latter includes the [[Frontier Corps]] and the [[Pakistan Rangers]], which often perform military police duties for the provincial governments in Pakistan to help control and manage the law and control situation.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" />

The two main branches of the army, Combat Arms and Administrative Services, also consist of several branches and functional areas that include the [[Army ranks and insignia of Pakistan|army officers]], [[Junior commissioned officer|junior commissioned]] (or [[Warrant officer (United States)|warrant officers]]), and the enlisted personnel who are classified from their branches in their uniforms and berets.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" /> In Pakistan Army, the careers are not restricted to military officials but are extended to civilian personnel and contractors who can progress in administrative branches of the army.<ref name="pakistanarmy.gov.pk">{{cite web |title=Infrastructures Development |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0cb3.html |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=17 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117174233/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0cb3.html |archive-date=17 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ '''Pakistan Army branches and functional areas'''
!Combined Arms
!Insignia
!style="background:#FF2400; color:white;"|
!Administrative Services
!Insignia
|-
|[[Pakistan Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]] (AC)
|
| style="background:#FF2400; color:white;"|
|[[Pakistan Army Service Corps|Service Corps]] (ASC)
|
|-
|[[Pakistan Army Air Defence Corps|Air Defence]] (AD)
|
| style="background:#FF2400; color:white;"|
|[[Pakistan Army Corps of Military Police|Military Police]] (MP)
|
|-
|[[Pakistan Army Aviation Corps|Aviation Corps]] (AVN)
|
| style="background:#FF2400; color:white;"|
|[[Pakistan Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering|Electrical and Mechanical Engineering]] (EME)
|
|-
|[[Pakistan Army Artillery Corps|Artillery Corps]] (ARTY)
|
| style="background:#FF2400; color:white;"|
|[[Pakistan Army Medical Corps|Medical]] (AMC)
|[[File:AMC (Pakistan) Badge.jpg|x45px]]
|-
|[[Pakistan Army Corps of Signals|Signals Corps]] (SIGS)
|
| style="background:#FF2400; color:white;"|
|[[Pakistan Army Education Corps|Education]] (AEC)
|
|-
|[[Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers|Engineers Corps]] (ENG)
|
| style="background:#FF2400; color:white;"|
|Remount Veterinary and Farms (RVFC)
|
|-
|[[:Category:Infantry regiments of Pakistan|Infantry Regiments]] (INF)
|[[File:Badge of Sind Regiment.jpg|x20px]] [[File:Badge of 16th Punjab Regiment 1922-56.jpg|x20px]] [[File:Baloch 1h1.jpg|x20px]] [[File:Military AJK Regiment Green.jpg|x20px]] [[File:Badge of Northern Light Infantry.jpg|x20px]] [[File:Badge of 12th Frontier Force Regiment.jpg|x20px]]
| style="background:#FF2400; color:white;"|
|[[Pakistan Army Ordnance Corps|Ordnance]] (ORD)
|
|-
|[[Special Service Group|Special Forces]] (SSG)
|[[File:Insignia of Pakistan Army Special Service Group (SSG).svg|x45px]]
| style="background:#FF2400; color:white;"|
|[[Military Intelligence (Pakistan)|Military Intelligence]] (MI)
|
|}

{{Clear}}

===Command structure===
{{Main|Structure of the Pakistan Army}} 
[[File:Pakistan Army Structure.png|thumb|The command and control structure of the six tactical operational commands in the Pakistan Army]]
The reorganization of the position standing army in 2008, the Pakistan Army now operates six tactical commands, each commanded by the [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief|GOC-in-C]], with a holding [[three-star rank]]: [[Lieutenant-General]].<ref name="Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, Alam" />{{Failed verification|date=February 2019}} Each of the six tactical commands directly reports to the office of [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]], operating directly at the [[GHQ (Pakistan Army)|Army GHQ]].<ref name="Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, Alam" />{{Failed verification|date=February 2019}}  Each command consists of two or more [[Corps]]– an army field formation responsible for [[Exclusion zone|zone]] within a command theater.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" />{{Failed verification|date=February 2019}}
 
There are nine active Corps in the Pakistan Army, composing of mixed infantry, mechanized, armored, artillery divisions, while the [[Pakistan Army Air Defence Corps|Air Defense]], [[Pakistan Army Aviation Corps|Aviation]], and the [[Pakistan Army Aviation Corps|Aviation]] and [[Pakistan Army Special Forces|Special Forces]] are organized and maintained in the separate level of their commands.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" />{{Failed verification|date=February 2019}}
 
Established and organized in March 2000, the [[Army Strategic Forces Command (Pakistan)|Army Strategic Forces Command]] is exercise its authority for responsible training in [[Nuclear safety|safety]], weapons deployments, and activation of the [[Pakistani missile research and development program|atomic missile systems]].<ref>[http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent.aspx?pId=22&rnd=451 History. Army Air Defence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210054743/http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent.aspx?pId=22&rnd=451 |date=10 February 2011 }}. Pakistanarmy.gov.pk.</ref>

===Combat maneuvering organizations===
{{Main|Civil Armed Forces|National Guard (Pakistan)|Pakistan Army Reserve}}
[[File:Indus River basin map.svg|left|thumb|The map of [[Land of Five Rivers|Five Rivers]]. The strategic reserves of Pakistan including the desert and forest.<ref name="Claws research team">{{cite web |last1=Claws research team |first1=CRT |title=Strategic Reserves of Pakistan |url=http://www.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1185553567_StrategicReservesCLAWSResearchTeam.pdf |website=www.claws.in |publisher=Claws research team |access-date=18 January 2019 |date=1 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710235846/http://www.claws.in/images/journals_doc/1185553567_StrategicReservesCLAWSResearchTeam.pdf |archive-date=10 July 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>]]
In events involving the large and massive foreign invasion by the [[Indian Army]] charging towards the Pakistan-side [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab sector]], the Pakistan Army maintains the "Pakistan Army Reserves" as a strategic [[Military reserve force|reserve component]] for conducting the offense and defense measures against the advancing enemy.<ref name="Claws research team"/> <!--There are two strategic [[Military reserve force|reserve component]] of the army, along with the [[National Guard (Pakistan)|National Guard]] and the [[Civil Armed Forces]], that is the first component is attached with the [[I Corps (Pakistan)|I Corps]] and the second being attached to the [[II Corps (Pakistan)|II Corps]].<ref name="Claws research team"/>

In the Pakistan Army Reserve, the '''Army Reserve North''' (ARN) is attached with the [[I Corps (Pakistan)|I Corps]] that is designed for conducting an offense towards the charging enemy's conventional forces on the eastern front of the [[Geography of Punjab, Pakistan|forestry terrain]].<ref name="Claws research team"/>  The ARN consists of an additional infantry division, heavy anti-tank battery, an aviation squadron, and the part-time reserve personnel to support the logistics of the ARN, giving the ARN the capability of launching the attacks on charging and advancing enemy from eastern front.<ref name="Claws research team"/>

The ARN is deployed to maneuver its combat assets towards the North of the [[Sutlej|Sutlej River]] to either mount or launch offensive operations inside Indian territory or duly assisted to Strike Command or to blunt an Indian offensive across the [[Indo-Pakistani border|Indo-Pakistani frontier]].<ref name="Claws research team"/>

The second army reserve component in the Pakistan Army, the '''Army Reserve South''' (ARS), is attached with the [[II Corps (Pakistan)|II Corps]] on the southern skirts of the [[Sutlej|Sutlej River]] and designed to provide logistics and the combat role in the [[Geography of Sindh|desert terrain]] of [[Sindh]] in support to the [[V Corps (Pakistan)|V Corps]] in Sindh Command or providing logistical support to the Punjab Holding Command's combat formations.<ref name="Claws research team"/>

Unlike the ARN in Northern skirts, the ARS has a void of an infantry division and the ARS reserve component is designed and suited for a riposte or conducting counteroffensive (defensive measures) operations and maneuvering towards defense against the attacking enemy combat forces.<ref name="Claws research team"/>-->

===Infantry branch===
{{Main|Infantry Branch (Pakistan Army)}}
Since its establishment in 1947, the Pakistan Army has traditionally followed the [[British Armed Forces|British]] [[regimental system]] and culture, and currently there are six organized [[infantry]] regiments.<ref name="Infantry, Army ISPR">{{cite web |title=Infantry |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent85ed.html |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |publisher=Army ISPR |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174339/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent85ed.html |archive-date=19 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the infantry branch, there are originally six regiments are in fact the administrative military organization that are not combat field formation, and the size of the regiments are vary as their rotation and deployments including [[Military Aid to the Civil Authorities|assisting]] the [[Federal government of Pakistan|federal government]] in [[Pakistan Administrative Service|civic administration]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Frontier Force Regiment |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent9973.html |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121341/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent9973.html |archive-date=19 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In each of original six regiments, there are multiple battalions that are associated together to form an infantry regiment and such battalions do not fight together as one formation as they are all deployed over various formations in shape of being part of the [[brigade combat team]] (under a [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brigadier]]), [[Division (military)|division]], or a being part of much larger [[corps]].<ref name="Independent Pakistan">{{cite web |title=Regiments of Pakistan Army |url=https://www.independentpakistan.com/30-Jun-2018/regiments-and-infantries-of-pakistan-army |website=Independent Pakistan |access-date=18 January 2019 |date=30 June 2018 |archive-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405054219/https://www.independentpakistan.com/30-Jun-2018/regiments-and-infantries-of-pakistan-army |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After the independence from the [[Great Britain]] in 1947, the Pakistan Army begin to follow the [[U.S. Army]]'s standing formation of their [[Infantry Branch (United States)|Infantry Branch]], having the infantry battalion serving for a time period under a different command zone before being deployed to another command zone, usually in another sector or terrain when its tenure is over.<ref name="Independent Pakistan"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|+Infantry branch<ref>[https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent85ed.html?pId=19&rnd=455 Infantry Branch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121429/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent85ed.html?pId=19&rnd=455 |date=19 January 2019 }} of Pakistan Army. ''For a description of the modern army, see: [[Military organization#Modern hierarchy|global context]].''</ref>
|-
! The Infantry Regiments by seniority  !! Insignia !! Activation Date !! Commanding Regimental Center !! Motto !! War Cry 
|-
| [[Punjab Regiment (Pakistan)|Punjab Regiment]] || {{center|[[File:Badge of 15th Punjab Regiment 1922-47.jpg|x25px]]}} || {{center|1759}} || [[Mardan]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]] || ||[[Urdu]]: ''نارا-یا-حیدری یا علی ''<br />([[English language|English]] lit. Ali the Great) 
|-
| [[Baloch Regiment]] || {{center|[[File:Baloch 1h1.jpg|x25px]]}} || {{center|1798}} || [[Abbottabad]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]] ||{{center|غازی یا شہید}} {{center|([[English language|English]] lit. ''Honoured or Martyr'')}} ||  {{center|کی کی بلوچ}} {{center|(English lit. ''Of the Baloch'')}}
|-
| [[Frontier Force Regiment]] || {{center|[[File:Piffers-logo.jpg|x25px]]}} || {{center|1843}}|| [[Abbottabad]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]] ||{{center|لبّیک}} {{center|(''[[English language|English]] lit. Lucky'')}} || 
|-
|[[Northern Light Infantry|Northern Light Infantry Regiment]] || {{center|[[File:Badge of Northern Light Infantry.jpg|x20px]]}} || {{center|1913}} || [[Gilgit]], [[Gilgit Baltistan]] || {{center|سبط قدم}} {{center|(''English lit. Consistent'')}} ||
|-
|[[Azad Kashmir Regiment]] ||  {{center|[[File:Military AJK Regiment Green.jpg|x25px]]}} || {{center|1947}} ||[[Mansar, Pakistan|Mansar]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] || || 
|-
|[[Sind Regiment]] || {{center|[[File:Badge of Sind Regiment.jpg|x25px]]}} || {{center|1980}} || [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], [[Sindh]] || || 
|}

===Special operations forces===
{{Main|Special Services Group|Light Commando Battalion}}
[[File:Special Service Group.jpg|left|264x264px|thumb|The logo of the [[Special Services Group|Army SSG]] where the [[Pakistan Army Special Forces|Special Forces]] and [[Pakistan Army Rangers|Army Rangers]] are trained together]]
The Pakistan Army has a division dedicated towards conducting the [[Unconventional warfare|unconventional]] and [[asymmetric warfare]] operations, established with the guidance provided by the [[United States Army]] in 1956.<ref name="Random House, Bennett">{{cite book |last1=Bennett |first1=R. M. |title=Elite Forces |date=2011 |publisher=Random House |isbn=9780753547649 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4JsL8v_sg5wC&q=Special+services+group+1956&pg=PT461 |access-date=19 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|§(Pakistan Army Special Forces)}}}}</ref> This competitive special operation force is known as the [[Special Services Group]] (Army SSG, distinguishing the [[Special Service Group (Navy)|Navy SSG]]), and is assembled in eight battalions, commanded by the [[Lieutenant-Colonel]], with addition of three [[Company (military unit)|companies]] commanded by the [[Major (rank)|Major]] or a [[Captain (army)|Captain]], depending on the availability.<ref name="discovermilitary, Army SSG">{{cite web |title=Special Service Group {{!}} Pakistan Army {{!}} Pakistan SSG {{!}} Pakistan Special Forces |work=Discover Military |url=https://discovermilitary.com/special-forces/special-services-group-pakistan/ |access-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121333/https://discovermilitary.com/special-forces/special-services-group-pakistan/ |archive-date=19 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The special operation forces training school is located in [[Cherat]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]].<ref name="discovermilitary, Army SSG"/>

Each battalion in the [[Pakistan Army Special Forces]] is specifically trained for a specific type of operation, and each battalion is a specialist in their nature of conducting the operation.<ref name="discovermilitary, Army SSG"/> Due to their distinctive service headgear, the Army SSG is colloquially known as the '''Maroon Berets'''.<ref name="discovermilitary, Army SSG"/>

In addition to the Army Special Service Group (SSG), the Pakistan Army has trained specialized [[Pakistan Rangers|Ranger units]] in counter-terrorism tactics. These Rangers are equipped to handle complex counter-terrorism operations involving civilian hostages and assist the Sindh and Punjab governments in maintaining law and order.<ref name="Pakistan Army Rangers">{{cite web |title=Pakistan Army Rangers |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentc0e0.html?pId=141 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174317/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentc0e0.html?pId=141 |archive-date=19 January 2019 |access-date=19 January 2019 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk}}</ref>

==Military philosophy==
===Combat doctrine (1947–2007)===
{{Main|Exercise Zarb-e-Momin}}
[[File:Pakistan Army and U.S. Army.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The [[Pakistan-United States military relations|U.S.-Pakistan military relations]]: The group photo of the [[United States Army]] and the Pakistan Army after coordinating the [[2010 Pakistan floods|joint operation]] in [[2010 in Pakistan|2010.]]]]

In 1947, the Pakistan Army's war strategists developed a combat doctrine which was called "[[Riposte|The Riposte]]", which featured a strategy of "offensive-defense".{{rp|310}}<ref name="SAGE Publications India, Rajain, 2005"/><ref>General Mirza Aslam Beg. 50 Years of Pakistan Army: A Journey into Professionalism, Pakistan Observer, 21 August 1997.</ref> In 1989, the first and official implementation of this strategy was refined and featured in the major military exercise, [[Exercise Zarb–e–Momin|Exercise Zab-e-Momin]], organized under [[Lieutenant-General|Lt-Gen.]] [[Hamid Gul]]<ref name="Army ISPR, Ex. Zarb-e-Momin">{{cite web |title=EXERCISE ZARB E MOMIN 1989 | date=10 April 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HvATTu2ax0 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/6HvATTu2ax0| archive-date=30 October 2021|publisher=Army ISPR |access-date=19 January 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>– this combat doctrine was fully focused in engaging towards its primary adversary, [[Indian Army]].{{rp|310}}<ref name="SAGE Publications India, Rajain, 2005">{{cite book |last1=Rajain |first1=Arpit |title=Nuclear Deterrence in Southern Asia: China, India and Pakistan |date=2005 |publisher=SAGE Publications India |location=New Delhi, India |isbn=9788132103257 |pages=497 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_46HAwAAQBAJ&q=pakistan+army+offense+defence+zarb-e-momin&pg=PA310 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(§Pakistan)}}}}</ref>

In 1989–99, the [[JS HQ (Pakistan)|JS HQ]], working with the Army GHQ to identify several key factors considering the large conventional attacks from the better equipped and numerically advantage adversary, the [[Indian Army]], derived the combat doctrine to assess the vulnerability of Pakistan where its vast majority of [[Population of Pakistan|population centers]] as well as political and military targets lies closer to the [[Indo-Pakistani border|international border]] with [[India]].<ref name="Defense Journal, Beg, 1999">{{cite web |last1=Beg |first1=M. A/ |title=Deterrence, Defence and Development |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/jul99/deterrence.htm |website=www.defencejournal.com |publisher=Defense Journal |access-date=19 January 2019 |location=Islamabad |date=1 July 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606150749/http://defencejournal.com/jul99/deterrence.htm |archive-date=6 June 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> 
[[File:Отработка военнослужащими России и Пакистана совместных разведывательно-диверсионных действий на учении «Дружба-2016» (18).jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Pakistan Army's special forces soldiers in a drill conducting jointly with the Russian special forces in 2016]]

The national security strategists explored the controversial idea of [[strategic depth]] in form of fomenting friendly foreign relations with [[Afghanistan]] and [[Iran]] while India substantially enhancing its offensive capabilities designed in its doctrine, the [[Cold Start (military doctrine)|Cold Start Doctrine]].<ref name="Defense Journal, Beg, 1999"/> Due to the numerical advantage of [[Indian Army]] over its smaller adversary, the Pakistan Army, the Pakistani national security analysts noted that any counterattack on advancing Indian Army would be very tricky and miscalculated – the ideal response of countering the attacks from the Indian ground forces would be operationalizing the [[Tactical ballistic missile|battle-ranged]] [[Hatf-I|Hatf-IA]]/[[Hatf-IB]] missiles.<ref name="Defense Journal, Beg, 1999"/> In times of national emergency, the Pakistan Army Reserves, supported by the [[National Guard (Pakistan)|National Guard]] and [[Civil Armed Forces]], would likely be deployed to reinforce defensive positions and fortifications.<ref name="Indian Defence Review, Singh, 2011">{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=RSN |title=Pakistan's Offensive-Defence Strategy |url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/pakistans-offensive-defence-strategy/ |website=www.indiandefencereview.com/ |publisher=Indian Defence Review |access-date=19 January 2019 |location=New Delhi, India |date=18 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702085558/http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/pakistans-offensive-defence-strategy/ |archive-date=2 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, after the orders are authorized the Corps in both nation's will take between 24 and 72 hours to completely mobilize their combat assets. Therefore, both nation's armies will be evenly matched in the first 24 hours since the Pakistani units have to travel a shorter distance to their forward positions.<ref name="Indian Defence Review, Singh, 2011"/>

Pakistan's military doctrine emphasizes a proactive defense, also referred to as "offensive-defense". This strategy prioritizes seizing the initiative in a conflict and launching limited counteroffensives to preempt potential enemy advances.<ref name="Indian Defence Review, Singh, 2011"/> Proponents of Pakistan's "offensive-defense" doctrine argue that it offers several advantages. One key benefit is the potential to disrupt an enemy's offensive plans, forcing them to shift focus from their initial attack to defending their own territory. This could place Pakistan in a more favorable position by dictating the terms of engagement on the battlefield.<ref name="Indian Defence Review, Singh, 2011"/> The strategic calculations by Pakistan Army's war strategists hope that the Pakistan Army's soldiers would keep the Indian Army engaged in fighting on the Indian territory, therefore the collateral damage being suffered by the Indian Army will be higher.<ref name="Indian Defence Review, Singh, 2011"/> Pakistani planners also estimate that since Indian forces will not be able to reach their maximum strength near the border for another 48–72 hours, Pakistan might have parity or numerical superiority against India.<ref name="Indian Defence Review, Singh, 2011" /> An important aspect in "offensive-defense" doctrine was to seize sizable Indian territory which gives Pakistan an issue to negotiate with India in the aftermath of a possible ceasefire brought about by the international pressure after 3–4 weeks of fighting.<ref name="Indian Defence Review, Singh, 2011"/>

Due to fortification of [[Line of Control|LoC]] in [[Kashmir]] and difficult terrains in Northern Punjab, the Army created the [[#Combat maneuvering organizations|Pakistan Army Reserves]] in the 1990s that is concentrated in the desert terrain of [[Sindh]]-[[Rajasthan]] sector, The Army Reserve South of the [[#Combat maneuvering organizations|Pakistan Army Reserves]] is grouped in several powerful field-level corps and designed to provide defensive maneuvers in case of war with the Indian Army.<ref name="Indian Defence Review, Singh, 2011"/>

===Threat Matrix (2010 – present)===
{{Main|Threat Matrix (database)|New Concept of War Fighting|Exercise Azm-e-Nau|Exercise High Mark|Exercise Sea Spark}}
[[File:Pakistan Army clearance operations in Mirali, North Waziristan.jpg|250px|right|thumb|[[Urban warfare]] near [[Afghanistan]]: Pakistan Army infantry troops engage in door-to-door [[Seek and destroy|clearance]] during [[Operation Zarb-e-Azb|N. Waziristan offense]] in 2016.]]
After the failure of the "Offensive-defense" in 1999, the national security institutions engaged in [[critical thinking]] to evaluate new doctrine that would provide a comprehensive [[grand strategy]] against the infiltrating enemy forces, and development began 2010–11 for the new combat doctrine.<ref name="Express Tribune, 2013"/> In 2013, the new combat doctrine, the [[Threat Matrix (database)|Threat Matrix]], was unveiled by the [[Inter-Services Public Relations|ISPR]], that was the first time in its history that the army's national security analysts realized that Pakistan faces a real threat from within, a threat that is concentrated in areas along western borders.<ref name="Express Tribune, 2013">{{cite news|title=New doctrine: Army identifies ‘homegrown militancy’ as biggest threat|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/488362/new-doctrine-army-identifies-homegrown-militancy-as-biggest-threat/|access-date=8 June 2013|newspaper=Express Tribune, 2013|date=3 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311125327/http://tribune.com.pk/story/488362/new-doctrine-army-identifies-homegrown-militancy-as-biggest-threat/|archive-date=11 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The Threat Matrix doctrine analyze the military's comprehensive operational priorities and goes beyond in comprehensively describing both existential and non-existential threats to the country.<ref name="Express Tribune, 2013"/>

Based on that strategy in 2013, the Pakistani military organized a four-tier joint military exercise, code-named: [[Exercise Azm-e-Nau]], in which the aim was to update the military's "readiness strategy for dealing with the complex security threat environment."<ref name="dawn, Exercise Azm-e-Nau"/> The objective of such exercises is to assess tactics, procedures, and techniques, and explore joint operations strategies involving all three branches of the military: the Army, [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]], and [[Pakistan Navy|Navy]].<ref name="dawn, Exercise Azm-e-Nau">{{Cite news|title=Army opens war games 'Azm-i-Nau IV' |newspaper=Dawn |location=Karachi, Pakistan |date=4 June 2013 |url=http://dawn.com/2013/06/04/army-opens-war-games-azm-i-nau-iv/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810153531/http://dawn.com/news/1015885/army-opens-war-games-azm-i-nau-iv |archive-date=10 August 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> In successive years, the Pakistani military combined all the branch-level exercises into [[joint warfare]] exercises, in which all four branches now participate, regardless of the terrain, platforms, and control of command.<ref name="dawn, Exercise Azm-e-Nau"/>

==Education and training==
{{Main|Military academies in Pakistan}}

===Schooling, teachings, and institutions===

[[File:Pakistani Army band commander.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Pakistan Army Music band's [[Conducting|conductor]] saluting after the performance in [[Russia]]]]

The Pakistan Army offers wide range of extensive and lucrative careers in the military to young high school graduates and the college degree holders upon enlistment, and Pakistan Army operates the large number of training schools in all over the country.<ref name="Introduction of training in the Pakistan Army">{{cite web |title=Introduction of training in the Pakistan Army |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentd5dd.html?pId=264&rnd=465 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232508/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentd5dd.html?pId=264&rnd=465 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The overall directions and management of the [[Army Public Schools & Colleges System|army training schools]] are supervised and controlled by the policies devised by the [[Pakistan Army Education Corps|Education Corps]], and philosophy on instructions in army schools involves in modern education with combat training.<ref>{{cite web |title=Training Philosophy of Pakistan Army |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent06be.html?pId=265&rnd=466 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232519/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent06be.html?pId=265&rnd=466 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

At the time of its establishment of the Pakistan Army in 1947, the [[Command and Staff College in Quetta]] was inherited to Pakistan, and is the oldest college established during the [[British Raj|colonial period]] in [[British Indian Empire|India]] in [[1905 in India|1905]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Command and Staff College |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent8df9.html?pId=291&rnd=495 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121011027/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent8df9.html?pId=291&rnd=495 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[British Army ranks|British officers]] in the Pakistan Army had to established the wide range of schools to provide education and to train the army personnel in order to raise the dedicated and professional army.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan Military Academy – Cadets Training |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent48b6.html?pId=267&rnd=469 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232437/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent48b6.html?pId=267&rnd=469 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The wide range of military officers in the Pakistani military were sent to attend the staff colleges in the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], and [[Canada]] who were trained and excelled in courses in armory, infantry, artillery, and ordnance in 1950–1961.{{rp|293}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996"/>

The [[United States]] eventually took over the overall training programs in the Pakistan Army under the [[International Military Education and Training]] (IMET) but the U.S. coordination with Pakistan varied along with the vicissitudes of the [[Pakistan–United States military relations|military relations]] between [[Pakistan–United States relations|two countries]].{{rp|12}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Ahrari, 2001">{{cite book |last1=Ahrari |first1=Ehsan |title=Jihadi Groups, Nuclear Pakistan, and the New Great Game |date=2001 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |location=New York, U.S. |isbn=9781428911352 |pages=50 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzVuwedjAhUC&q=International+Military+Education+and+Training+pakistan&pg=PA12 |access-date=21 January 2019 }}</ref> In the 1980s, the army had sent ~200 army officers abroad annually, two-thirds actually decided to attend schooling in the [[United States]] but the cessation of the United States' aid to Pakistan led the suspension of the [[International Military Education and Training|IMET]], leading Pakistani military officers to choose the schooling in the [[United Kingdom]].{{rp|294}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996"/>

After the [[September 11 attacks|terrorist attacks]] in the [[United States]] in 2001, the [[International Military Education and Training|IMET]] cooperation was again activated with army officers begin attending the schooling in the United States but the training program was again suspended in 2018 by the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]], leveling accusations on [[Allegations of support system in Pakistan for Osama bin Laden|supporting armed Jihadi groups]] in [[Afghanistan]].<ref name="Reuters, Ali and Stewart, 2018">{{cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Idress |last2=Stewart |first2=Phil |title=Exclusive: As Trump cracks down on Pakistan, U.S. cuts military... |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-usa-military-exclusive/exclusive-as-trump-cracks-down-on-pakistan-u-s-cuts-military-training-programs-idUSKBN1KV166 |access-date=21 January 2019 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters |date=10 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232633/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-usa-military-exclusive/exclusive-as-trump-cracks-down-on-pakistan-u-s-cuts-military-training-programs-idUSKBN1KV166 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the reconstruction and reorganization of the armed forces in the 1970s, the army established more training schools as below:

{{mw-datatable}}
{| class="mw-datatable"
|-
! Army schools and colleges  !! Year of establishment !! School and college principal locations!! Website
|-
| {{small|[[School of Armour and Mechanized Warfare]]}} || {{center|{{small|1947}}}} || {{small|[[Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Nowshera]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]]}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=School of Armour and Mechanized Warfare |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent5e00.html?pId=268&rnd=475 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103210256/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent5e00.html?pId=268&rnd=475 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
| {{small|School of Artillery}} || {{center|{{small|1948}}}} || {{small|[[Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Kakul]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]]}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=School of Artillery |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0bf6.html?pId=269&rnd=476 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110324/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0bf6.html?pId=269&rnd=476 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|School of Army Air Defense}} || {{center|{{small|1941}}}} || {{small|[[Karachi]] in [[Sindh]]}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=School of Army Air Defence |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContente72e.html?pId=270&rnd=477 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010824/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContente72e.html?pId=270&rnd=477 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|[[Military College of Engineering (Pakistan)|Military College of Engineering]]}} || {{center|{{small|1947}}}} || {{small|[[Risalpur]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]]}}  || {{small|{{cite web |title=Military College of Engineering |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContenta68d.html?pId=271&rnd=478 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010856/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContenta68d.html?pId=271&rnd=478 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|[[Military College of Signals]]}} || {{center|{{small|1947}}}} || {{small|[[Rawalpindi]] in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Military College of Signals |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentd4d5.html?pId=272&rnd=479 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010737/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentd4d5.html?pId=272&rnd=479 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|School of Infantry and Tactics }}|| {{center|{{small|1947}}}} || {{small|[[Quetta]] in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]]}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=School of Infantry and Tactics |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentb1b1.html?pId=273&rnd=480 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110551/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentb1b1.html?pId=273&rnd=480 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|Aviation School}} || {{center|{{small|1964}}}} || {{small|[[Gujranwala]] in Punjab}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Army Aviation School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent16a0.html?pId=274&rnd=481 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110540/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent16a0.html?pId=274&rnd=481 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|Service Corps School}} || {{center|{{small|1947}}}} || {{small|Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Army Service Corps School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentc845.html?pId=275&rnd=482 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194605/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentc845.html?pId=275&rnd=482 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|[[Army Desert Warfare School]]|| {{center|{{small|1977}}}} || {{small|Rawalpindi in Punjab}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Army Medical College |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent7bef.html?pId=276&rnd=483 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010845/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent7bef.html?pId=276&rnd=483 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|Ordnance College}} || {{center|{{small|1980}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Ordnance College |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContenta7e1.html?pId=277&rnd=484 |access-date=3 January 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110602/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContenta7e1.html?pId=277&rnd=484 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|[[College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering]]}} || {{center|{{small|1957}}}} ||  {{small|Rawalpindi in Punjab}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0862.html?pId=278&rnd=485 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010834/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0862.html?pId=278&rnd=485 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
! Special warfare and skills schools !! Year of establishment !! School and college principal locations!! Website
|-
| {{small|Special Operations School}} || {{center|{{small|1956}}}} || {{small|[[Cherat]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]]}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Special Operations School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent4265.html?pId=279&rnd=486 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}}}
|-
| {{small|[[Parachute Training School (Pakistan Army)|Parachute Training School]]}} || {{center|{{small|1964}}}} ||{{small|[[Kakol, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Kakul]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]]}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Parachute Training School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentd78b.html?pId=280&rnd=487 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194554/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentd78b.html?pId=280&rnd=487 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|Corps of Military Police School}} || {{center|{{small|1949}}}} ||{{small|[[Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan|D.I. Khan]] in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa}}|| {{small|{{cite web |title=Corps of Military Police School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContente885.html?pId=284&rnd=488 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010907/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContente885.html?pId=284&rnd=488 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|School of Logistics}} || {{center|{{small|1974}}}} || {{small|[[Murree]] in Punjab}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Army School of Logistics |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent6be9.html?pId=285&rnd=489 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=2 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802012128/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent6be9.html?pId=285&rnd=489 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|School of Mountain Warfare and Physical Training}} || {{center|{{small|1978}}}}|| {{small|[[Kakol, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Kakul]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]]}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Army School of Mountain Warfare and Physical Training |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentc8da.html?pId=286&rnd=490 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010748/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentc8da.html?pId=286&rnd=490 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|High Altitude School}}|| {{center|{{small|1987}}}}|| {{small|[[Rattu]] in [[Gilgit-Baltistan]]}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Army High Altitude School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent3e4c.html?pId=287&rnd=491 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010809/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent3e4c.html?pId=287&rnd=491 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|[[Army Desert Warfare School]]|| {{center|{{small|1987}}}}||{{small|[[Chor, Sindh|Chor]] in Sindh}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Army Desert Warfare School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentbf18.html?pId=288&rnd=492 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}}}
|-
|{{small|School of Music}} || {{center|{{small|1970}}}} || {{small|[[Abbottabad]] in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Army School of Music |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentb102.html?pId=289&rnd=493 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010824/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentb102.html?pId=289&rnd=493 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|Dog Breeding Training Center and School}} || {{center|{{small|1952}}}}|| {{small|Rawalpindi in Punjab}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Army Dog Breeding Training Centre and School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent5ef4.html?pId=290&rnd=494 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010759/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent5ef4.html?pId=290&rnd=494 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|Veterinary School}} || {{center|{{small|1947}}}} || {{small|Sargodha in Punjab}}||{{small|{{cite web |title=Army Veterinary School |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/UserFiles/File/New%20PDF/army%20veterinary%20school.pdf |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010814/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/UserFiles/File/New%20PDF/army%20veterinary%20school.pdf |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
! Higher education institutions !! Year of establishment !! Locations!! Website
|-
|{{small|[[Pakistan Command and Staff College|Command and Staff College]]}} || {{center|{{small|1905}}}}|| {{small|Quetta in Balochistan}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Command and Staff College |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent8df9.html?pId=291&rnd=495 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121011027/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent8df9.html?pId=291&rnd=495 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|[[National Defence University, Pakistan|National Defense University]]}} || {{center|{{small|1971}}}} || {{small|Islamabad}}||{{small|{{cite web |title=National Defense University |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent4882.html?pId=292&rnd=496 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010854/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent4882.html?pId=292&rnd=496 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|[[National University of Sciences and Technology (Pakistan)|National University of Sciences and Technology]]}} || {{center|{{small|1991}}}} || {{small|Multiple campuses}}||{{small|{{cite web|title=National University of Sciences and Technology|url=http://nust.edu.pk/Pages/Default.aspx|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023052641/http://www.nust.edu.pk/Pages/Default.aspx|url-status=dead}}}}
|-
|}

Sources: [https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent8213.html?pId=109&rnd=470 Army Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803053758/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent8213.html?pId=109&rnd=470 |date=3 August 2019 }} and [https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent2d5f.html?pId=279&rnd=471 Skills Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010835/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent2d5f.html?pId=279&rnd=471 |date=21 January 2019 }} of Pakistan Army

The Pakistan Army's training schools are not restricted to the department of the army only but inter-services officers and personnel have been trained and educated as part of the interdepartmental cooperation.<ref name="Introduction of training in the Pakistan Army" /> The Pakistan Army takes responsibility of providing the military training and education to [[Pakistan Marines]] at their School of Infantry and Tactics, and military officers in other branches have attended and qualified [[Psc (military)|psc]] from the [[Command and Staff College in Quetta]].<ref name="Introduction of training in the Pakistan Army" /> Officers holding the ranks of [[Captain (army)|captains]], [[Major (rank)|major]]s, [[Lieutenant (naval)|lieutenants]] and [[Lieutenant-Commander|lieutenant-commanders]] in marines are usually invited to attend the courses at the Command and Staff College in Quetta to be qualified as [[Psc (military)|psc]].{{rp|9}}<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014" />

Established in 1971, the [[National Defence University, Islamabad|National Defense University]] (NDU) in [[Islamabad]] is the senior and higher education learning institution that provides the advance [[critical thinking]] level and research-based [[Military strategy|strategy]] level education to the senior military officers in the Pakistani military.<ref name="National Defence University">{{cite web |title=National Defence University |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent4882.html?pId=292&rnd=496 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |publisher=National Defence University |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010854/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent4882.html?pId=292&rnd=496 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[National Defence University, Islamabad|NDU]] in Islamabad is a significant institution of higher learning in understanding the institutional norms of military tutelage in Pakistan because it constitutes the "highest learning platform where the military leadership comes together for common instruction", according to thesis written by Pakistani author Aqil Shah.{{rp|8}}<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014" /> Without securing their [[graduation]] from their master's program, no officer in the Pakistani military can be promoted as general in the army or air force, or admiral in the navy as it is a prerequisite for their promotion to become a senior member at the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]].{{rp|8–9}}<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014" />

Besides, the platform provided at the [[National Defence University, Islamabad|NDU]] in Islamabad represents a radical shift from the emphasis on operational and staff functions and the level of ranks are imposed as a qualification to attend the [[Master's degree|master's program]] at the [[National Defence University, Islamabad|NDU]], usually [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|brigadiers]], [[Air Commodore|air commodores]], and [[Commodore (rank)|commodores]], are invited to given admission in a broad range of strategic, political, social, and economic factors as these factors affect the country's national security.{{rp|8–9}}<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014" /> In this sense, the [[National Defence University, Islamabad|NDU]] becomes the critical thinking institution as its constitutes active-duty senior military officers corps' baptism into a shared ideological framework about the military's appropriate role, status, and behavior in relation to state and society, and shared values affect how these officers perceive and respond to civilian governmental decisions, policies, and political crises.{{rp|9–10}}<ref>Aqil Shah, The Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan (Harvard University Press, 2014), pp. 8–9 {{cite book |url=http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674728936 |isbn= 9780674728936 |date=April 2014 |title=The Army and Democracy |first=Aqil |last=Shah |publisher=Harvard University Press |access-date=31 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531184004/http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674728936 |archive-date=31 May 2014}}</ref> Admissions to the army's military engineering colleges and [[National Defence University, Islamabad|NDU]] is not restricted to military officials but the civilians can also attend and graduate from the NDU, allowing the civilians to explore the broader aspects of national security.{{rp|8–9}}<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014" /> 
[[File:M60A1 Armored Vehicle Landing Bridge.jpg|thumb|225px|right|The [[M60 AVLB]], the engineering vehicle currently inventory in Pakistan Army]]

Established in 1991, the [[National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan|National University of Sciences and Technology]] (NUST) has now absorbed and amalgamated the existing military colleges of engineering, signals, aeronautical, medical and is a counterpart institution in [[Science and engineering|science and technology]] to that of the [[National Defence University, Islamabad|National Defense University]] (NDU) in [[Islamabad]].<ref>{{cite web |title=National Defence University Visit to NUST |url=http://www.nust.edu.pk/News/Pages/National-Defence-University-Visit-to-NUST.aspx |website=www.nust.edu.pk |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232519/http://www.nust.edu.pk/News/Pages/National-Defence-University-Visit-to-NUST.aspx |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The foreign military officials and students, including from the [[United States]], have attended the Command and Staff College in Quetta and the [[National Defence University, Islamabad|National Defense University]] (NDU) in [[Islamabad]] but the American instructors and observers have penned critical analysis by reporting the curriculum offered by the Command and Staff College in Quetta to be narrow focus and failure to encourage speculative thinking or to give adequate attention to less glamorous subjects, such as logistics.{{rp|293}}<ref name="DIANE Publishing, Blood, 1996" />{{rp|518}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan – Personnel and Training |url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-9909.html |website=www.country-data.com |access-date=21 January 2019 |date=1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626132531/http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-9909.html |archive-date=26 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Civil engineering and construction ==
{{Main|Civil engineering|Karakoram Highway}}

Since the 1970s, the Pakistan Army's engineering formations have been involved in [[civil engineering]] of the important landmarks in the country, [[hydroelectricity]], [[Electricity generation|power generation]], [[Dams in Pakistan|dams]], and [[National Highways of Pakistan|national freeways]].<ref name="Infrastructures Development">{{cite web |title=Infrastructures Development |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0cb3.html?pId=203&rnd=218 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232431/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent0cb3.html?pId=203&rnd=218 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Pakistan Army builds major civil engineering landmarks in the country, including the [[Karakoram Highway]], [[Skardu Airport]], and the [[Nuclear test site|national security sites]] in [[Kahuta]].<ref name="Infrastructures Development"/> The [[Frontier Works Organization]] of the army, has built several infrastructures with the [[Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] all over the country, and has built the communications lines in Northern Pakistan through its [[Special Communications Organization]] (SCO).<ref name="Infrastructures Development"/>

The Corps of Engineers are the major civil engineering contractor and engineering consultant employed by the [[Government of Pakistan|federal government]], advising on construction management and on to improving the efficiency of construction measures in times of natural calamities.<ref name="Corps of Engineers">{{cite web |title=Corps of Engineers |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContente1d0.html |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232529/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContente1d0.html |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Pakistan Army's landmark civil engineering projects included the [[Lyari Expressway]] in Karachi, [[Makran Coastal Highway]] in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] and the [[Khanpur Dam]] in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]].<ref name="Corps of Engineers"/> Besides their infrastructure projects in Pakistan, the Pakistan Army has built several infrastructures projects in other parts of the world as part their deployment in United Nation's peacekeeping missions.<ref name="Corps of Engineers"/>

==UN peacekeeping missions==

{{Main|United Nations peacekeeping missions involving Pakistan}}

In the wake of the new world power equilibrium, a more complex security environment has emerged. It's characterized by growing national power politics.

{{div col |colwidth=20em}}
* UN Operation in Congo ([[ONUC]]) 1960–1964
* UN Security Force in [[New Guinea]], [[West Irian]] (UNSF) 1962–1963 (14 Punjab Regiment)
* UN Yemen Observer Mission Yemen (UNYOM) 1963–1964
* UN Transition Assistance Group in Namibia (UNTAG) 1989–1990
* UN Iraq–Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM) 1991–2003
* UN Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) 1993–1996
* UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) 1992–1993
* UN Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM) 1992–1995
* UN Protection Forces in Bosnia (UNPROFOR) 1992–1995
* UN Observer Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) 1993–1996
* UN Verification Mission in Angola (UNAVEM III) 1995–1997
* UN Transitional Administration for Eastern [[Slavonia]] (UNTAES) 1996–1997
* UN Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP) 1996–2002
* UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) 2001–2005
* UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) 1999-to-date
* UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) 1999-to-date
{{Div col end}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Current deployment in UN Peacekeeping missions
|-
! scope="col" | Start of operation
! scope="col" | Name of operation
! scope="col" | Location
! scope="col" | Conflict
! scope="col" | Contribution
|-
|1999
|United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ([[MONUSCO]])
|{{flag|Democratic Republic of Congo}}
|[[Second Congo War]]
|3,556 troops<ref name="ISPR-PK">{{cite web|url=http://www.ispr.gov.pk/Multimedia/UN%20Peace%20Keeping/MONUC.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231955/http://www.ispr.gov.pk/Multimedia/UN%20Peace%20Keeping/MONUC.htm |archive-date=26 September 2007 |title=UN Mission in Democrative Republic of Congo (MONUC) |date=26 September 2007 |access-date=15 May 2012}}</ref>
|-
|2003
|United Nations Mission in Liberia ([[UNMIL]])
|{{flag|Liberia}}
|[[Second Liberian Civil War]]
|2,741 troops<ref name=ISPR-PK />
|-
|2004
|United Nations Operation in Burundi [[United Nations Operation in Burundi|ONUB]]
|{{flag|Burundi}}
|[[Burundi Civil War]]
|1,185 troops<ref name=ISPR-PK />
|-
|2004
|United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire ([[UNOCI]])
|{{flag|Côte d'Ivoire}} 
|[[Civil war in Côte d'Ivoire]]
|1,145 troops<ref name=ISPR-PK />
|-
|2005
|United Nations Mission in the Sudan ([[UNMIS]])
|{{flag|Sudan}}
|[[Second Sudanese Civil War]]
|1,542 Troops.<ref name=ISPR-PK />
|-
|
|Staff/observers
|
|
|191 observers<ref name=ISPR-PK />
|}

* The total number of Pakistani troops serving in peacekeeping missions is 7,533, as of August 2015, which is one of the biggest number among rest of participants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ranking of Military and Police Contributions to UN Operations|url=https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/contributors/2015/aug15_2.pdf|website=UN Peacekeeping|publisher=United Nations|access-date=26 September 2015|page=1|date=31 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928133118/http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/contributors/2015/aug15_2.pdf|archive-date=28 September 2015}}</ref>

==Involvement in Pakistani society==
{{See also|International response to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake|2009 refugee crisis in Pakistan}}
[[File:Pakistan aid.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The Pakistan Army soldiers distributing the military rations to the affectees of the national calamities. The Army often involves in the civil society to relief activities and national-building to the local population of affected areas.]]
[[File:Army in kashmir.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The [[Pakistan Army Corps of Remount Veterinary and Farms|RVF Corps]] moving animals and livestock to a safer location after the flood warning issues by the [[National Disaster Management Authority (Pakistan)|NDMA]] in 2017]]

The Pakistan Army has played an integral part in the civil society of Pakistan, almost since its inception.<ref name="Taylor and Francis-e-Library">{{cite book|last=Mazhar Aziz|title=Military control in Pakistan: the parallel state|year=2008|publisher=Taylor and Francis-e-Library|location=Milton Park, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK|isbn=978-0-415-43743-1|pages=80–81|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIwXnkZOyoMC&q=dismissal+of+general++karamat&pg=PA81|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200137/https://books.google.com/books?id=tIwXnkZOyoMC&q=dismissal+of+general++karamat&pg=PA81|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, General Jehangir Karamat described Pakistan armed forces' relations with the society:

{{Blockquote|text=In my opinion, if we have to repeat of past events then we must understand that Military leaders can pressure only up to a point. Beyond that their own position starts getting undermined because the military is after all is a mirror image of the civil society from which it is drawn. |sign=General Jehangir Karamat on civil society–military relations<ref name="Taylor and Francis-e-Library"/>}}

In times of national calamities and natural disasters, including the devastating [[2005 Kashmir earthquake|earthquake in 2005]] or the [[2010 Pakistan floods|great floods in 2010]], the army engineering corps, medical, logistical personnel, and other armed forces services have played a major role in [[Rehabilitation counseling|area rehabilitation]] and reconstruction of cities and towns while distributing the relief goods and [[military rations]] to the affected civilians.<ref name="Disaster operations by Army">{{cite web |title=Disaster / Relief Operations |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentfc6e.html?pId=205&rnd=220 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194543/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContentfc6e.html?pId=205&rnd=220 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1948, the army has been involved in providing power generation to affected areas, building dams, and construction of towns and cities, and conducting rescue operations for evacuations of general public and animals from endangerment.<ref name="Disaster operations by Army"/>

To coordinate and manage the proper relief operations, reconstructions, and rehabilitation, the [[Government of Pakistan|federal government]] [[Military Aid to the Civil Authorities|appoints the active-duty officers]], as an external billets appointments, to lead federal agencies such as the [[National Disaster Management Authority (Pakistan)|NDMA]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Miscellaneous National Tasks |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent32f3.html?pId=206&rnd=221 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120194531/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent32f3.html?pId=206&rnd=221 |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Besides relief activities in the country, the Pakistan Army has also engaged in other parts of the world such as coordinating and leading the relief efforts in [[Indonesia]], [[Bangladesh]], and [[Sri Lanka]] after these countries were affected by the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|underwater earthquake that resulted in tsunami]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan: Logistic support needed to transport urgent tsunami relief – Indonesia |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/indonesia/pakistan-logistic-support-needed-transport-urgent-tsunami-relief |website=ReliefWeb |date=25 January 2005 |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144217/https://reliefweb.int/report/indonesia/pakistan-logistic-support-needed-transport-urgent-tsunami-relief |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Stephen P. Cohen]] in his article, Pakistan: Army, Society and Security writes:
{{Blockquote|text=There are armies which guard their nation’s borders, there are armies which are concerned with protecting their own position in society, and there are armies which defend a cause or an idea. The Pakistan Army does all three.|sign=Stephen P. Cohen<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1748721/history-the-birth-of-the-pakistan-army |title=History: The Birth of the Pakistan Army |date=22 April 2023 }}</ref>}}

==Corporate and business activities==
{{See also|Fauji Foundation|Army Welfare Trust|Defence Housing Authority}}

The Pakistan Army's business interests, managed through foundations like the Fauji Foundation, have been a subject of international scrutiny. News agencies and investigations by financial regulators allege the military controls a vast network of business enterprises and conglomerates, with estimates suggesting a total revenue of US$20 billion in 2007-2008.<ref name="aljazeera, Abdullahi, 2008">{{cite news |last1=Abdullahi |first1=Najad |title=Pakistani army's '$20bn' business |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/focus/pakistanpowerandpolitics/2007/10/2008525184515984128.html |access-date=19 January 2019 |work=aljazeera.com |agency=aljazeera |publisher=aljazeera |date=16 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331043016/https://www.aljazeera.com/focus/pakistanpowerandpolitics/2007/10/2008525184515984128.html |archive-date=31 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Defence Housing Authority|Defence Housing Authority (DHA)]] and [[Army Welfare Trust|Askari Real Estate]] are prominent examples of the Pakistan Army's large-scale real estate ventures. However, critics point out that none of the 46 housing schemes directly built by the armed forces cater to ordinary soldiers, civilian officers or other army personnel.<ref>Siddiqa, Ayesha (2007) ''[[Military Inc.]]'' Karachi: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-19-547495-4}}</ref>

The [[Fauji Foundation]] ({{lit|Soldier Foundation}}) is a Pakistani conglomerate publicly traded on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). It manufactures and sells processed meat, and operates stud and dairy farms primarily for the military's use. The foundation also has subsidiaries that contribute to the civilian economy through various enterprises, including bakeries, security services and banking. Its factories produce a wide range of goods, including sugar and fertilizer.<ref name="aljazeera, Abdullahi, 2008" />

==Awards and honours==
{{Main|Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces}}

=== Wartime Gallantry Awards ===
{| class="wikitable"
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Nishan-e-Haider.png|width=130}}
|'''[[Nishan-e-Haider]]''' ''(Order of the Lion)''
| rowspan="5" |<ref name="honours">{{cite web |title=Honours and Awards |url=http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent.aspx?pId=32&rnd=182 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531012800/http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent.aspx?pId=32&rnd=182 |archive-date=31 May 2012 |access-date=6 June 2009 |publisher=Pakistan Army}}</ref>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Jurat.png|width=130}}
|'''[[Hilal-i-Jur'at|Hilal-e-Jurat]]''' ''(Crescent of Courage)''
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Jurat.png|width=130}}
|'''[[Sitara-e-Jurat]]''' ''(Star of Courage)''
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Jurat.png|width=130}}
|'''[[Tamgha-i-Jurat|Tamgha-e-Jurat]]''' ''(Medal of Courage)''
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Imtiazi Sanad.png|width=130}}
|'''[[Imtiazi Sanad]]''' ''(Mentioned in Despatches)''
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto; text-align:center;"
! colspan="4" |Order of Wear
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Nishan-e-Haider.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Nishan-e-Haider]]</small>'''

'''''<small>(</small>'''<small>Order of the Lion)</small>''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Civilian).png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Nishan-e-Imtiaz]]</small>'''

'''[[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|<small>(Civilian)</small>]]'''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Nishan-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Nishan-e-Imtiaz]]</small>'''

'''[[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|<small>(Military)</small>]]'''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Jurat.png|width=130}}
'''[[Hilal-i-Jurat|<small>Hilal-e-Jurat</small>]]'''

''<small>(Crescent of Courage)</small>''
|- align="center"
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Shujaat.png|width=130}}
'''[[Civil decorations of Pakistan|<small>Hilal-e-Shujaat</small>]]'''

''<small>(Crescent of Bravery)</small>''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Civilian).png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|Hilal-e-Imtiaz]]</small>'''

'''[[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|<small>(Civilian)</small>]]'''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}}
'''[[Hilal-i-Imtiaz|<small>Hilal-e-Imtiaz</small>]]'''

'''[[Hilal-i-Imtiaz|<small>(Military)</small>]]'''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Jurat.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Sitara-e-Jurat]]</small>'''

'''''<small>(</small>'''<small>Star of Courage)</small>''
|- align="center"
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Shujaat.png|width=130}}
[[Civil decorations of Pakistan|'''<small>Sitara-e-Shujaat</small>''']]

''<small>(Star of Bravery)</small>''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Sitara-e-Imtiaz]]</small>'''

'''[[Sitara-e-Imtiaz|<small>(Military)</small>]]'''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=President's Award for Pride of Performance.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Pride of Performance|President's Award for]]</small>'''

<small>'''[[Pride of Performance]]'''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Basalat.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Sitara-e-Basalat]]</small>'''

''<small>(Star of Good Conduct)</small>''
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Eissar.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Sitara-e-Eisaar]]</small>'''

''<small>(Star of Sacrifice)</small>''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Jurat.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Tamgha-e-Jurat]]</small>'''

'''''<small>(</small>'''<small>Medal of Courage)</small>''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Shujaat.png|width=130}}
'''[[Civil decorations of Pakistan|''<small>Tamgha-e-Shujaat</small>'']]'''

''<small>(Medal of Bravery)</small>''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}}
'''[[Sitara-e-Imtiaz|<small>Tamgha-e-Imtiaz</small>]]'''

'''[[Sitara-e-Imtiaz|<small>(Military)</small>]]'''
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Basalat.png|width=130}}
'''''<small>[[Tamgha-e-Basalat]]</small>'''''

''<small>(Medal of Good Conduct)</small>''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Eisaar.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Tamgha-e-Eisaar]]</small>'''

''<small>(Medal of Sacrifice)</small>''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Imtiazi Sanad.png|width=130}}
[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Wartime gallantry medals|'''<small>Imtiazi Sanad</small>''']]

''<small>(Mentioned in Despatches)</small>''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Diffa.png|width=130}}
'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|<small>Tamgha-e-Diffa</small>]]'''

<small>''(General Service Medal)''</small>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War Ribbon.png|width=130}}
'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|<small>Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War</small>]]'''

<small>''(War Star 1965)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War.png|width=130}}
'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|<small>Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War</small>]]'''

<small>''(War Star 1971)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War.png|width=130}}
'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|<small>Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War</small>]]'''

<small>''(War Medal 1965)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War.png|width=130}}
'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|<small>Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War</small>]]'''

<small>''(War Medal 1971)''</small>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Baqa (1998).png|width=130}}
'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|<small>Tamgha-e-Baqa</small>]]'''

<small>''([[Chagai-I|Nuclear Test Medal]])''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Istaqlal (2002).png|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan]]'''</small>

<small>''([[2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff|Escalation with India Medal]])''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Azm.png|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Campaign / war medals|Tamgha-e-Azm]]'''</small>

<small>''(Medal of Conviction)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class-I).png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Tamgha-i-Khidmat|Tamgha-e-Khidmat (Class-I)]]</small>'''

<small>''(Medal of Service Class I)''</small>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class-II).png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Tamgha-i-Khidmat|Tamgha-e-Khidmat (Class-II)]]</small>'''

<small>''(Medal of Service Class I)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class-III).png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Tamgha-i-Khidmat|Tamgha-e-Khidmat (Class-III)]]</small>'''

<small>''(Medal of Service Class I)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=10 years Service Medal.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Long service medals|10 Years Service Medal]]</small>'''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=20 years Service Medal.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Long service medals|20 Years Service Medal]]</small>'''
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=30 years Service Medal.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Long service medals|30 Years Service Medal]]</small>'''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=35 years Service Medal.png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Long service medals|35 Years Service Medal]]</small>'''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=40 years Service Medal (Pakistan Armed Forces).png|width=130}}
'''<small>[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Long service medals|40 Years Service Medal]]</small>'''
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Pakistan Independence Medal 1947.png|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Pakistan Medal|Pakistan Tamgha]]'''</small>

<small>''([[Pakistan Medal]])''</small>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam.png|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-]]'''</small>

<small>'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam]]'''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Republic Medal 1956 (Pakistan).png|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Tamgha-e-Jamhuria]]'''</small>

<small>''(Republic Commemoration Medal)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hijri Tamgha.png|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Hijri Tamgha]]'''</small>

<small>''(Hijri Medal)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Jamhuriat Tamgha 1988.png|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Jamhuriat Tamgha]]'''</small>

<small>''(Democracy Medal)''</small>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha Pakistan.svg|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha]]'''</small>

<small>''(Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal, 2006.svg|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces#Commemorative medals|Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan]]'''</small>

<small>''(Independence Day''</small>

<small>''Golden Jubilee Medal)''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Command and Staff College Quetta Centenary Medal.svg|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Pakistan Command and Staff College|Command & Staff College Quetta]]'''</small>

<small>'''Instructor's Medal'''</small>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Command and Staff College Quetta Centenary Medal 2007.png|width=130}}
<small>'''[[Pakistan Command and Staff College|Command & Staff College Quetta]]'''</small>

<small>'''Student Medal'''</small>
|}

===Nishan-e-Haider===
{{Main|Nishan-e-Haider}}{{Gallery|File:Nishan-i-Haider-PAK.jpg|{{small|[[Nishan-e-Haider]]<br>({{lit|Order of Lion}})<br>Nine out of ten Army personnel have been posthumously honoured}}|width=180|height=250|align=right|mode=packed|noborder=no}}
In [[Pakistan Military Awards|military awards hierarchy]], the [[Nishan-e-Haider|Nishan-e-Haidar]] ({{lit|Order of Lion Urdu نشان حیدر}}) is the highest and most prestigious honour awarded posthumously for bravery and actions of valor in event of war.{{rp|220}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Zajda |first1=Joseph |last2=Tsyrlina-Spady |first2=Tatyana |last3=Lovorn |first3=Michael |title=Globalisation and Historiography of National Leaders: Symbolic Representations in School Textbooks |date=2016 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9789402409758 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fdvJDQAAQBAJ&q=Nishan+i+haider&pg=PA220 |access-date=21 January 2019 |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(§War Heroes)}}}}</ref> The honour is a namesake of [[Ali]] and the recipients receiving this honorary title as a sign of respect: ''Shaheed'' meaning ''martyr''.{{rp|4}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Naseem |first1=M. |title=Education and Gendered Citizenship in Pakistan |date=2010 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9780230117914 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qRt9DAAAQBAJ&q=Nishan+i+haider&pg=PA141 |access-date=21 January 2019 }}</ref>

Since 1947–2019, there has been ten Pakistani military officers and personnel who have honoured with this prestigious medal— out of which, nine have been officers and soldiers in the Pakistan Army, bestowed to those who engaged in wars with India.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nishan-i-Haider |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent75dc.html?pId=31&rnd=181 |website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232442/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent75dc.html?pId=31&rnd=181 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="mw-datatable"
|-
! Order  !! Recipients !! Rank !! Regiment/Corps of the recipient !! Year of conflict !! War and Gallantry Ribbon
|-
| {{center|{{small|1}}}} || {{small|[[Raja Muhammad Sarwar]]}}|| {{small|[[File:OF-2 Pakistan Army.svg|10px]] [[Captain (army)|Captain]]}} || {{small|[[Punjab Regiment (Pakistan)|Punjab Regiment]]}} || {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|Indo-Pakistani war of 1947]]}} ||{{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
| {{center|{{small|2}}}} || {{small|[[Saif Ali Janjua]]}}|| {{small|[[File:02.Pakistan Army-CPL.svg|10px]] [[Naik (military rank)|Naik]]}} {{small|([[Corporal]])}} || {{small|[[Azad Kashmir Regiment]]}} || {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|Indo-Pakistani war of 1947]]}} ||{{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
| {{center|{{small|3}}}} || {{small|[[Tufail Mohammad]]}}|| {{small|[[File:OF-3 Pakistan Army.svg|10px]] [[Major (rank)|Major]]}} || {{small|[[Punjab Regiment (Pakistan)|Punjab Regiment]]}} || {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|1958 India-East Pakistan border skirmishes]]}} ||{{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
| {{center|{{small|4}}}} || {{small|[[Raja Aziz Bhatti]]}}|| {{small|[[File:OF-3 Pakistan Army.svg|10px]] [[Major (rank)|Major]]}} || {{small|[[Punjab Regiment (Pakistan)|Punjab Regiment]]}} ||{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistani war of 1965]]}} ||{{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
| {{center|{{small|5}}}} || {{small|[[Shabbir Sharif]]}}|| {{small|[[File:OF-3 Pakistan Army.svg|10px]] [[Major (rank)|Major]]}} || {{small|[[Frontier Force Regiment]]}} ||{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indo-Pakistani war of 1971]]}} ||{{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
| {{center|{{small|6}}}} || {{small|[[Muhammad Hussain Janjua]]}}|| {{small|[[Sepoy]]}} {{small|([[Private (rank)|Pvt.]])}} || {{small|[[Pakistan Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]]}} || {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indo-Pakistani war of 1971]]}} ||{{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
| {{center|{{small|7}}}} || {{small|[[Muhammad Akram]]}}|| {{small|[[File:OF-3 Pakistan Army.svg|10px]] [[Major (rank)|Major]]}} || {{small|[[Frontier Force Regiment]]}} ||{{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indo-Pakistani war of 1971]]}} ||{{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
| {{center|{{small|8}}}} || {{small|[[Muhammad Mahfuz]]}}|| {{small|[[File:01.Pakistan Army-PFC.svg|10px]] [[Lance Naik]]}} {{small|([[Lance Corporal]])}} || {{small|[[Punjab Regiment (Pakistan)|Punjab Regiment]]}} || {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indo-Pakistani war of 1971]]}} ||{{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
| {{center|{{small|9}}}} || {{small|[[Karnal Sher Khan|Karnal Sher]]}}|| {{small|[[File:OF-2 Pakistan Army.svg|10px]] [[Captain (army)|Captain]]}} || {{small|[[Sind Regiment|Sindh Regiment]]}} || {{small|[[Kargil War|Indo-Pakistani war of 1999]]}} ||{{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
| {{center|{{small|10}}}} || {{small|[[Lalak Jan]]}}|| {{small|[[File:03.Pakistan Army-SGT.svg|10px]] [[Havildar]]}} {{small|([[Sergeant|Sgt.]])}} || {{small|[[Northern Light Infantry|Northern Light Infantry Regiment]]}} || {{small|[[Kargil War|Indo-Pakistani war of 1999]]}} || {{center|[[File:Nishan-e-Haider.png|100px]]}}
|-
|}

===Recipient of the foreign awards===

The Pakistan Army has received foreign awards for its services to other nations. Notably, two army pilots from the [[Pakistan Army Aviation Corps|Aviation Corps]] were honored for a daring rescue operation. Lt-Col. Rashiduhlla Beg and Lt-Col. Khalid Amir were awarded the Golden Order for Services by the Slovenian President in the capital, Ljubljana, for rescuing Slovenian mountaineer Tomaz Humar, who was stranded on the 8,125-meter (26,657&nbsp;ft) peak Nanga Parbat.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6758251.stm BBC: Pakistan pilots get bravery award] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008170255/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6758251.stm |date=8 October 2007 }}. BBC News (15 June 2007).</ref>

In addition, there are numbers of the army general officers have been honoured multiple times with the United States's [[Legion of Merit]] for cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties with the United States 1980s–2015.{{rp|261}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jaffrelot |first1=Christophe |title=Pakistan at the Crossroads: Domestic Dynamics and External Pressures |date=2016 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=9780231540254 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A791CwAAQBAJ&q=Legion+of+Merit+Pakistan&pg=PA261 }}</ref> In 2010, the Pakistan Army was awarded with a [[gold medal]] at the [[Exercise Cambrian Patrol]] held in Wales in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irandefence.net/showthread.php?p=923283 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803130328/http://www.irandefence.net/showthread.php?p=923283 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 August 2012 |title=Pakistan Army Wins Gold Medal @ International Cambrian Patrols Exercise – Page 3 – Iran Defense Forum |publisher=Irandefence.net |access-date=15 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\story_21-10-2010_pg7_18 |title=Leading News Resource of Pakistan |work=Daily Times |date=21 October 2010 |access-date=15 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227095007/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C10%5C21%5Cstory_21-10-2010_pg7_18 |archive-date=27 February 2012}}</ref>

==Sports==
{{See also|Pakistan Army basketball team|Pakistan Army F.C.}}
The Army offers programs in many sports including [[boxing]], [[field hockey]], [[cricket]], swimming, table tennis, [[karate]], [[basketball]], [[soccer]], and other sports.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sports |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent591e.html |publisher=Pakistan Army |access-date=22 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123010431/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent591e.html |archive-date=23 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Army basketball program regularly provides the [[Pakistan national basketball team]] with players.<ref>[https://www.nation.com.pk/02-Jan-2010/basketball-team-named-for-11th-south-asian-games Basketball team named for 11th South Asian Games], http://www.nation.com.pk. Retrieved 25 March 2012.</ref>

==See also==

{{div col}}
* [[National Guard (Pakistan)]]
* [[Civil Armed Forces]]
* [[Comparative military ranks]]
* [[Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition]]
* [[List of serving generals of the Pakistan Army]]
* [[Military history of Pakistan]]
* ''[[Pakistan Army Retribution]]'' ([[video game]])
* [[Pakistan Military Academy]]
* [[Special Service Group]] (SSG)
* [[Structure of the Pakistan Army]]
{{Div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Cloughley, Brian. ''A History of the Pakistan Army: Wars and Insurrections'' (4th ed. 2014).
*{{cite book| title=The Military Balance 2010| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| editor1-first=James| editor1-last=Hackett| date=3 February 2010| publisher=[[Routledge]]| location=London| isbn=978-1-85743-557-3| ref=IISS2010}}
* Ayub, Muhammad (2005). ''An army, Its Role and Rule: A History of the Pakistan Army from Independence to Kargil, 1947–1999''. RoseDog Books. {{ISBN|9780805995947}}.
*{{cite book | title = Juddhey Juddhey Swadhinata | year = 2005 | author = Major Nasir Uddin  |  publisher = Agami Prokashoni | isbn = 984-401-455-7 |ref=none}} (A Bengali-language book about the history of Pakistan Army)
*Paul Staniland, Adnan Naseemullah & Ahsan Butt (2020) "Pakistan's military elite." ''Journal of Strategic Studies'', 43:1, 74-103

==External links==
{{Commons category|Army of Pakistan|Pakistan Army}}
* {{Official website|https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/}}
{{Pakistan Army template}}
{{Pakistan Army Regiments}}
{{Military of Pakistan}}
{{Pakistan topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Pakistan Army| ]]
[[Category:Military of Pakistan|*]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1947]]
[[Category:Government of Pakistan]]