Pakistan Army: History, Structure, and Role in National Security

Pakistan Army

Short	Infomation
History	Pakistan Army
Founded	14 August 1947 (77 years )
Country	(Pakistan)
Type	(Army)
Role	(Land warfare)
Size	560,000 active-duty personnel 550,000 reserve force 185,000 National Guard
Part of Garrison	(Pakistan Armed Forces)
Headquarters	(General Headquarters) (GHQ) Rawalpindi Cantonment-46100 – Punjab
Motto	(Iman, taqwa, jihad fi sabilillah)
Colour	(Green – white)
Anniversaries	(Defence Day: 6 September)
Website	pakistanarmy.gov.pk
Commander Chief of the Army Staff	(General Asim Munir)
Chief of the General Staff	(Lt Gen Avais Dastgir)

The Pakistan Army traces its origins back to the country’s independence in 1947. Prior to that, its predecessor was the British Indian Army, which was divided between the newly formed nations of India and Pakistan. In the wake of partition, the Pakistan Army was officially established in August 1947 to serve as the land-based uniform service of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Pakistani Army Before 1947

Before the Partition of India in 1947, what would become the Pakistan Army existed as part of the British Indian Army. Here’s an overview of its early history and composition:

Origins in the British Indian Army

• The roots of the Pakistan Army can be traced back to the (Bengal Army), one of the three presidential armies of the (British East India Company) in the 18th century.
• Over time, the Bengal Army evolved into the broader British Indian Army, which included both British and Indian troops commanded by British officers.
• As of 1939, the British Indian Army had around 194,000 personnel, the majority of whom were Indian soldiers.

Composition and Structure

• The (British Indian Army) was organized into (infantry, cavalry, and artillery divisions), as well as support services.
• Recruitment focused heavily on “martial races” like the Punjabis, Pathans, Gurkhas, and Sikhs, who were seen as naturally inclined towards military service.
• Officers were predominantly British, with a small number of Indian officers in junior leadership roles.
• Notable units that would later become part of the Pakistan Army included the (6th Royal Battalion), (13th Frontier Force Rifles), and (1st Punjab Regiment).

Role in World War II

• The British Indian Army played a major role in (World War II), providing over 2.5 million soldiers – the largest volunteer force in history.
• Indian troops served across multiple fronts, including the (Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia).
• This wartime experience and expansion helped lay the groundwork for the future Pakistan Army.

Partition and Independence

• As India moved towards independence in the 1940s, the British Indian Army faced the challenge of partition along religious lines.
• The units and personnel that fell within the newly formed state of Pakistan became the core of the Pakistan Army in 1947.
• This transition was not without challenges, as the army had to be reorganized and equipped to function as an independent national force.

Overall, the early Pakistan Army drew heavily on the traditions and structures of the former British Indian Army, reflecting its origins as a colonial military force. The experiences and composition of this pre-1947 army would shape the development of Pakistan’s armed forces in the years following independence.

Commander Of The Pakistan Army

Today, the Pakistan Army is led by a four-star general known as the (Chief of Army Staff) (COAS), who commands the force under the supreme authority of the President of Pakistan as the constitutional commander-in-chief. According to data from the (International Institute for Strategic Studies) (IISS) in 2024, the army currently fields approximately 560,000 active duty personnel, making it the sixth largest army in the world and the largest among Muslim-majority countries.

This formidable manpower is further augmented by several supporting elements, including the Pakistan Army Reserve, the (National Guard), and the (Civil Armed Forces). Together, these various components form a multi-tiered land force capable of carrying out a wide range of military operations.

The primary constitutional purpose of the Pakistan Army

The Pakistan Army’s primary constitutional mandate is to defend the country against external aggression and threats of war. It is also empowered to provide aid to civilian authorities during national emergencies, natural disasters, and other crises that require military assistance. Over the decades, the army has seen extensive combat experience, including in three major wars with India (in 1947-48 war / 1965 war, and the 1971 war), numerous border skirmishes with (Afghanistan along the Durand Line), and a long-running (counterinsurgency campaign in the restive Balochistan) province, the latter often in coordination with Iranian security forces.

• Beyond its domestic roles, the Pakistan Army has also participated in (international military engagements). Since the 1960s, it has deployed advisory elements to assist Arab states during the Arab-Israeli conflicts. The army also contributed troops to the U.S.-led coalition during the (First Gulf War) in the early 1990s. Additionally, Pakistan Army personnel have been active participants in various (United Nations Peacekeeping Missions) around the world.

• However, the army’s influence has at times extended beyond its constitutionally-defined responsibilities. There have been multiple instances in Pakistan’s history where the military has intervened in the country’s political affairs, suspending democratic rule and acting as a powerful force within the state. This has fueled concerns about the army’s overreach and its status as a semi-autonomous “state within a state,” with the potential to undermine civilian governance and democratic institutions.

• Despite these controversies, the Pakistan Army remains a central pillar of the country’s national security architecture. Its vast resources, combat experience, and influential position within Pakistani society continue to make it a formidable force to be reckoned with, both domestically and on the regional stage.

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