Pakistan Armed Forces are the joint Military Forces of Pakistan. The Army of Pakistan is the sixth-largest Army in the world in terms of active troops. Pakistan Armed Forces consist of three formally uniformed services—the Army, Navy, and Air Force, backed by various constitutionally sanctioned Paramilitary Forces.
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An essential component to the Armed Forces structure is the Strategic Plans Division Force, responsible for maintaining and safeguarding Pakistan’s tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile and assets.
Strategic Plans Division Force is a Pakistan’s department that is answerable for protecting its nuclear weapons stockpile and strategic assets. It is the security department of the National Command Authority (NCA).
Under the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee alongside the Army, Navy, and Air Force chiefs, the Pakistani military’s chain of command is organized.
In the supervision of the Joint Staff Headquarters, all branches systemically coordinated during joint operations and missions. The department currently has 170 nuclear stockpiles and many strategic and tactical missiles for a target for acquiring surveillance. They have used the Surveillance BeiDou satellite navigation system and many UAVs and UCAVs.
After the 1963 Sino-Pakistan Agreement, the army has had close military relations with China. Both are working jointly to develop the JF-17, the K-8, and other weapons systems.
As of 2013, China was the second-largest foreign supplier of army equipment in Pakistan. Both nations also participate in the development of nuclear and space technology programs. Their armies have a schedule for establishing joint military training.
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The military additionally keep up close relations with the United States, which gave Pakistan major non-NATO ally status in 2004.
Pakistan gets most of its armed equipment from local domestic suppliers, China, and the United States.
The Armed Forces were established in 1947 when Pakistan got independence from the British Empire. Since then, the armed forces have played a decisive role in Pakistan’s modern history.
The significant fighting wars with India in 1947, 1965, and 1971, and seizing control of the government on various occasions.
The need for border management led to the creation of paramilitary units to deal with the civil crisis in the North-West and security of border areas in Punjab and Sindh by paramilitary forces.
In 2017, there was around 654,000 active personnel in the armed forces, excluding 25000–35000+ employees in the SPDF and 482,000 active workers in the paramilitary forces.
The armed forces have a big pool of volunteers, so enrollment has never been needed. However, the Pakistani constitution and supplementary law allow for choice in a war state.
According to Pakistan’s latest budget, Pakistan’s military absorbs the largest part of the country’s budget.
Recently the federal government of Pakistan announced an annual budget 2020-21, in which Rs. 1,289 billion has been allotted to the defense sector.
The army is generally highly approved of in Pakistani society. After the establishment of Pakistan, the military has played a vital role in keeping the state united, encouraging a feeling of nationhood, and providing a bastion of selfless service.
The Pakistan Armed Forces are the best-organized foundation in the country and most respected in civil society and the institution’s social ranks.
Until May 2019, Pakistan was the sixth-largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping efforts, with 5,083 personnel deployed overseas.
Other foreign deployments have consisted of Pakistani Military Personnel serving as army advisers in African and Arab countries.
The Pak Army has sustained combat divisions and brigade-strength presences in some Arab countries during the Arab–Israeli Wars, supported the Multi-National Force (Iraq) in the first Gulf War, and took part in the Somali and Bosnian conflicts.
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Main Armed Services branches
Military Academies
The following are the Military Academies:
- Pakistan Military Academy PMA
- Pakistan Air Force Academy
- Pakistan Naval Academy
- Pakistan Marine Academy
There are also a number of, professional, higher education and engineering military institutes that is named below:
- National Defence University
- Command and Staff College
- PAF Air War College
- Combat Commanders’ School
- Pakistan Naval War College
- Military College of Engineering
- College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
- Army Medical College
- Military College of Signals
- College of Aeronautical Engineering
- College of Flying Training
- Pakistan Navy Engineering College
- Air University
- Fauji University
- Bahria University
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Criticism on Pakistan Armed Forces
A session of Pakistan’s National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior takes place in Islamabad.
- Critics of Pakistan’s Armed Forces to face two years in jail, fine worth up to Rs500,000 or both, as per new criminal law amendment bill.
- National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior passed bill submitted by PTI lawmaker Amjad Ali Khan.
- The committee’s chairperson, Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz of the PTI, broke the 5-5 vote tie by voting in favor of the bill.
- “Criticism in good faith should not be misunderstood. Why are they being made sacred cows,” the lawmakers against the bill argued.
Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior passed a new amendment bill on Wednesday (News Published on 9 April 2021) mandating that anyone who criticizes Pakistan Forces may now face imprisonment for two years, along with a fine of Rs500,000 — or both.
Amjad Ali Khan (PTI lawmaker) proposed and submitted the new proposal for criminal law reform.
Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, who is a member of the ruling party, cast the final vote.
By voting in favor of the proposed bill, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Interior of the National Assembly Nawaz broke the tie of 5-5 votes. With a majority, the bill was passed.
Under the criminal law amendment bill, Pakistan’s Armed Forces and personnel would be free from any defamation, insults, and ridicule.
If someone violates this provision, they face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to Rs500,000, or both.
According to the criminal law amendment bill, critics of the Pakistan Forces would face trials in civil courts.