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Pakistan Army

Command Structure of Pakistan Army

The Structure of Pakistan Army is provided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), which manages the army from the Joint Staff Headquarters (JS HQ). It is adjacent to the Air HQ, Navy HQ, and Army General HQ (GHQ) in the Rawalpindi Military.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee consists of the Chairman Joint Chiefs, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Commandant Marines, and the Special Plans Commander Division.

About the JS HQ, it is composed of the office of Engineer-in-Chief, Navy Hydrographer, Surgeon-General of each Inter-Service, Director of JS HQ, and Director-Generals (DGs) of ISPR, ISSB, ISI, and the SPD Force.

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An In-Depth Overview of Command Structure of Pakistan Army

The Pakistan Army, an integral pillar of Pakistan’s defense mechanism, has a structured hierarchy and a strategic command system that ensures operational efficiency and tactical prowess. This article provides a comprehensive look at the command structure, shedding light on its organization, leadership, and the various echelons of command.

  1. Chief of Army Staff (COAS): The pinnacle of the command structure, the COAS is the principal military advisor to the President of Pakistan and the defense minister. Entrusted with the overall strategic direction, the COAS ensures the operational readiness of the army.
  2. Principal Staff Officers (PSOs): Reporting directly to the COAS, the PSOs are responsible for the main directorates, such as Military Operations, Intelligence, Training, and Logistics.
  3. Corps Commanders: The Pakistan Army is divided into multiple corps, each headed by a Corps Commander, typically of Lieutenant General rank. These corps are pivotal operational formations, designed to carry out major tactical operations.
  4. Divisions: Within each corps, there are divisions, commanded by Major Generals. A division is further divided into brigades.
  5. Brigades: A brigade is a sizable tactical military unit, usually consisting of three to six battalions. They can be infantry, armored, artillery, or a combination, and are commanded by Brigadiers.
  6. Battalions and Units: The smallest independent unit in the army structure, a battalion comprises several companies and is commanded by a Colonel or sometimes a Lieutenant Colonel.
  7. Functional Institutions & Training Centers: Apart from the main combat formations, the Pakistan Army boasts several training institutes, academies, and schools that play a pivotal role in shaping the skill sets of its soldiers, officers, and higher command.

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Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC)

Due to army failures in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War, federal studies on civil-military relations were held by a commission led by Hamoodur Rahman, Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Orders of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission helped establish the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee to regulate all military work and oversee joint missions and their execution during operations.

The chairmanship of the JCSC revolves around the three main service branches. It is selected by the Prime Minister and confirmed by the President. The chairman outranks all other Four-Star officers. However, he does not have operational command power over the armed forces.

As a Chief Military Adviser, he assists the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense in exercising their command functions.

Technically, the JCSC is the most leading military body. JCSC’s chairman works as the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the civilian Prime Minister, Cabinet, National Security Council (its adviser), and President. It deals with joint training, integrated joint logistics, and joint military planning. It provides strategic directions for the armed forces and regularly reviews the three main service branches’ roles, sizes, and conditions.

JCSC advises the civilian government on strategic communications, industrial mobilization plans, and formulating defence plans. In multiple ways, the JCSC provides a vital link to understand, maintain balance, and resolve conflicts between military and political circles.

At times of peace, the principal functions of the JCSC are to conduct civil-military input. In times of war, the chairman acts as Principal Military Adviser to the Prime Minister in joint warfare supervision and conduct.

ImageNamePositionService
General Asim MunirGeneral Asim MunirChief of Army StaffPakistan Army
General Sahir Shamshad MirzaGeneral Sahir Shamshad MirzaChairman Joint Chiefs of Staff CommitteePakistan Army
backpacAir Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar SidhuChief of Air StaffPakistan Air Force
cordlessblowerAdmiral Zafar Mahmood AbbasiChief of Naval StaffPakistan Navy

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Conclusion

Understanding the command structure of the Pakistan Army offers insights into the meticulous planning and hierarchical organization that goes behind one of the region’s most significant military entities. As the army continues to evolve, so does its structure, adapting to the challenges of the modern world.

Also check: Pakistan Army Weapons

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