The Pakistan Armed Forces – A Salvation in Disguise
The Pakistan Armed Forces
The Pakistan Army is the main land warfare organ of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The army dates back to colonial times. Then, the British Indian Army stayed in power till its dissolution in 1947. By 2017, the Pakistan army had over 650 thousand personnel on active duty. This made Pakistan the sixth largest army globally with respect to manpower.
Primarily, the army aims to ensure national unity and security against external threats. However, it can also respond to threats manifested internally. When calamity strikes, it carries out rescue operations. Also, it actively participates in missions of peacekeeping initiated by the United Nations. Therefore, it is also a volunteering service.
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Nonetheless, the Pakistan armed forces have also overthrown governments to aid federal governments when requested. This violates the constitutional mandate. The army has also enforced martial laws time and time again. Therefore, observers claim it to be a ‘state within a state’.
But even though there have been inconveniences, the Pakistan army has helped more than it has hurt.
Perks of the Pakistan Army
- The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is the number one intelligence organization in the world. Could it be a coincidence that the Pakistan Army controls the agency? We think not.
- Thanks to the workings of the army, Pakistan became the first Muslim country with atomic power on the 28th of May, 1998. Today, it is ranked as the 7th among nuclear powers of the world.
- The Special Services Group (SSG) are the 8th most elite forces. Also known as the Black Storks, they are heavily trained forces that strengthen Pakistan’s global stand.
- The Pakistani army is disciplined, dedicated and patriotic. Even in their daily lives, they display love for their country. They do not receive criticism well and believe their country to be the best, despite its many obvious flaws.
Recent Achievements of the Army
It is not all talk either. The Pakistan armed forces show dedication on a daily basis with their many achievements. Some of these achievements are as follow.
The Pakistan army defends the country at every turn with support and sacrifices. The valiant army faces both external and internal threats with resilience and bravery.
On the 4th of February 2019, there were attacks on Indian Occupied Kashmir. The Indians blamed Pakistan for the attacks. Thus Indian forces retaliated by violating Pakistani airspace in Muzaffarabad on February 26. On 27 February, Pakistani forces shot down two Indian fighter jets. They captured a pilot who they treated with great respect and released by March 1.
Throughout the year, the army reduced terrorist threats in the country. The forces carried out over 350 operations to purge terrorist organizations. Overall terrorist attacks fell by eighty-five percent from 2011 to 2019. Out of 1500 threats, the army foiled more than 150 and eradicated 11.
India continued to violate the Line of Control over 1200 times, killing around 50 people and injuring 240. As retaliation, Pakistani soldiers killed over 50 Indian soldiers and damaged their ammunition. Towards the west, the Pak Army also fenced off more than half of the Afghani border to prevent Afghani terrorists from entering.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) represented the army on several fronts and dissolved various Indian claims. Even though both countries are seldom at peace, the new security chief of India praised then Director General of ISPR. He said: ‘They have their act together’.
Even in the field of missile testing, the Pakistan Army is making efforts. From the 24th to 31st of January, Pakistan tested ballistic missiles. Testings on May, August and November followed. These missiles are important steps toward Pakistan’s deterrence of attack attempts.
The Pakistan Armed Forces’ International Efforts
Globally, the Pakistan Army is the 6th largest army. It doubles as a volunteering service. It carries out rescue operations after disaster strikes. Also, it participates actively in peacekeeping missions by the UN. It rescued American soldiers trapped in Somalia during the Operation Gothic Serpent. Troops from the Pakistan Army had major roles in both the Bosnian War and the Yugoslav War.
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Elements from the army participate in advisory capacities to Arab states regularly. For example, it participated in Arab Israeli wars and coalitions against Iraq during the Gulf War. The Army also supports the War on Terror with operations like Zarb-e-Azab, Rah-e-Nijat and Black Thunderstorm.
The Pakistan army received several national and international accolades for its work. An example is the Legion of Merit from the United States. Another is a gold medal at the Exercise Cambrian Patrol in the United Kingdom.
Other Contributions
Along with its many other roles, the Pakistan army proudly offers many choices of beneficial careers in the forces. It hosts several training schools throughout Pakistan. The first college was the Command and Staff College in Quetta. British officers in the Pakistan Army established a wide selection of schools to administer proper training to the army personnel. From 1950 to 1961, many officers attended staff colleges abroad for proper training.
Army schools include the Army Medical College and College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. There are also special warfare and skills institutions like the School of Logistics in Murree and the Desert Warfare School in Sindh. Higher education is in schools like the National University of Science and Technology and the National Defense University.
The army has ventured as far as civil engineering too! It has been active in landmarks such as power generation, hydroelectricity, national highways and dams. Particularly, it has built the Skardu Airport, security sites in Kahuta and the Karakoram Highway.
With all the troubles Pakistanis have to face on a daily basis, they view the Pakistan army as a form of salvation. Where Pakistanis differ concerning opinions of local politicians, they all agree on the blessing that is the army. Several times, the local government has failed its people. But the army manages to swoop in and overhaul the issues.
