Military of Pakistan

Pakistan's 610,000-member armed forces, the world's 8th largest in 2000, are well trained and disciplined.The Armed Forces are highly respected in the civil society. USA, China and North Korea are among the leading collaborators. Indigenous development of Missiles are given importance though rumors have it that they are assisted by China and North Korea in most of the assignments claimed by themselves. However, budget constraints and nation-building duties have reduced Pakistan's normally robust training tempo, which if not reversed, will eventually impact the operational readiness of the Armed Forces. Likewise, Pakistan has had an increasingly difficult time maintaining their aging fleet of American, Chinese, British and French equipment. While the industrial base capabilities have expanded significantly, limiting fiscal resources and various sanctions have significantly constrained the government's efforts to modernize the armed forces. Despite this, the Pakistani armed forces demonstrate great strength and armed capabilities which make it one of the strongest in the world.

The Army of Pakistan is very polite and gentle to their own citizens. But in East Pakistan in 1971 due to a conspiracy that would break the country in half, they were compelled by Yahya Khan to use force against their own citizens to subdue a rebelion and have committed many human rights violations, and are said being prone to coup d'etats. In 1971, the Pakistan Army has been blamed for the death of more then 1.5 million Bangladeshis who were killed when Pakistan Army was trying to subdue a rebellion against Pakistan when India attacked East Pakistan in December 1971 and captured Dacca. (this is comparable to Hitler's 6 million). Also, the country has been ruled by the military for the majority of the time for that it has been an independent country. The current ruler of Pakistan, Pervez Musharaf, seized power in a coup by removing the civilian government in Pakistan for reasons of national security and is currently the president and military leader of Pakistan. Recently the Pakistan Army has again been blamed by such critics to be engaging in similar human rights violations in Balochistan. ie: The Army of Pakistan's Operation 2005, as reported by the BBC.

Until 1990, the United States provided military aid to Pakistan to modernize its conventional defensive capability. The United States allocated about 40% of its assistance package to non-reimbursable credits for military purchases, the third largest program after Israel and Egypt. The remainder of the aid program was devoted to economic assistance. While sanctions have been in effect since 1990, various amendments have authorized return of spare parts and end items already paid for by Pakistan. In addition, the U.S. and Pakistan have come to a financial agreement on the non-delivery of F-16s. However, Pakistan's nuclear tests in response to India's May 1998 tests and the recent military coup have placed additional sanctions on Pakistan.

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard

Military manpower – military age: 17 years of age

Military manpower – availability:
males age 15–49: 34,632,509 (2000 est.)

Military manpower – fit for military service:
males age 15–49: 21,206,148 (2000 est.)

Military manpower – reaching military age annually:
males: 1,604,806 (2000 est.)

Active troops

620,000 (Ranked 7th)

Military expenditures – dollar figure: $2.435 billion (FY99/00)

Military expenditures – percent of GDP: 3.9% (FY99/00)

Nuclear tests in May 1998 confirmed that Pakistan, like India, has nuclear weapons. In April 1998 Pakistan test fired a long-range missile easily capable of reaching the capital of India. This means that Pakistan's nuclear warheads can be delivered by airplanes and missiles, and reach most of India. See nuclear proliferation. Some of the sanctions that were handed to Pakistan have been relinquished and in early 2004 US president George W. Bush gave the government of Musharraf a $3 billion aid package that will undoubtedly be spent on the military. In March 2005, US government confirmed that it intends to sell two dozen F16 to Pakistan despite India's resistance to the idea.

Since then Pakistan (and India) has tested numerous long range missiles; however, as of 2004 this has currently ceased, most likely due to the current and lengthy peace talks debating both Kashmir and the two countries' trade ties.

The Highest Award given by the Military of Pakistan is the Nishan-E-Haider which has only been awarded to ten men since 1947.

References and links

Categories: Armies | Militaries | Pakistan | Military of Pakistan | Military