130-532: Defence industry of Pakistan The Pakistan Armed Forces ( Urdu : پاکستان مسلح افواج ; pronounced [ˈpɑːkˌɪstaːn mʊˈsəlˌle(ɦ) əfˈwɑːd͡ʒ] ) are the military forces of Pakistan . It is the world's sixth-largest military measured by active military personnel and consist of three formally uniformed services—the Army , Navy , and the Air Force , which are backed by several paramilitary forces such as
260-421: A British soldier. This act laid the foundation for what would become a thriving black market for firearms. Historical records indicate that by 2014, the area housed a staggering 7,500 gun-manufacturing workshops, all catering to a booming demand. Located just 49 kilometers south of Peshawar , the provincial capital, Dara Adam Khel's weapons market has become synonymous with handmade replicas of deadly weapons. From
390-480: A blend of domestically produced and internationally procured military equipment. As per the 2021 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, Pakistan ranked 10th globally in terms of arms imports for the 2016-2020 period. During this timeframe, the People's Republic of China constituted the primary source of imported weaponry, accounting for 74% of Pakistan's total imports. The Russian Federation and
520-533: A danger in the consolidation of the Ghaznavids and invaded their capital city of Ghazni both in the reign of Sebuktigin and in that of his son Mahmud , which initiated the Muslim Ghaznavid and Hindu Shahi struggles. Sebuk Tigin, however, defeated him, and he was forced to pay an indemnity. Jayapala defaulted on the payment and took to the battlefield once more. Jayapala however, lost control of
650-583: A distinguished scientist, the POF initially focused on producing small arms, ammunition, and chemical explosives. However, from 1955 to 1964, Pakistan heavily relied on the United States for military equipment due to its membership in SEATO and CENTO . This period saw minimal development of the domestic arms industry. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the subsequent cutoff of U.S. military assistance marked
780-684: A diverse range of products, including small arms and ammunition, armored vehicles like the Al-Khalid tank and the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet co-developed with China. Pakistan's ability to offer these products at competitive prices compared to Western alternatives has been a key driver of its success in the international market. This, coupled with close defense ties with countries in the Middle East and growing partnerships with nations like China and Turkey, has facilitated exports to regions like
910-710: A few months of its founding in 1947, the military had inherited all professional qualifications of the British military in India. In respect to the British Indian military , the Ministry of Defence (MoD) authorised the three junior commissioned officer (JCO) pay grades between the enlisted ranks and commissioned officers . The JCO grades are equivalent to the civil bureaucracy's pay scales for those who rise by promotion from among enlisted recruits. The JCO grades in
1040-602: A growing network of military production facilities established since independence. PAC played a key role in propelling domestic aircraft production. It reverse-engineered various aircraft technologies, built the Mushshak trainer, and maintained vital radar and avionics equipment. This success paved the way for further advancements, including the Super Mushshak and the Karakoram-8 advanced training jet. By 1999,
1170-593: A large pool of volunteers, and therefore conscription has never been brought into effect, although both the Constitution of Pakistan and supplementary legislation allow for conscription in a state of war . Accounting for 18.3% of national government expenditure in 2021, after interest payments, Pakistan's military absorbs a large part of the country's annual budget. The armed forces are generally highly approved of in Pakistani society . As of April 2021, Pakistan
1300-578: A province of old "British India" [which no longer exists]. It is wrongful because it suppresses the social entity of these people. In fact, it suppresses that entity so completely that when composing the name "Pakistan" for our homelands, I had to call the North-West Frontier Province the Afghan Province. Suggestions for new names came and went. Although some of the names were ethnically neutral, most proposals emphasised
1430-692: A range extension to 1,000 kilometres (620 mi). An air-launched version, Ra'ad , has been successfully tested. Since the 1990s, the navy has been conducting joint naval exercises and has participated in multinational task forces such as CTF-150 and CTF-151 . Recommended by the Navy, based on Royal Marines , the Pakistan Marines were established on 1 July 1971 to undertake riverine operations in East Pakistan . The Marines saw their first combat actions in amphibious operations during
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#17328016558941560-502: A referendum on the issue as a way of determining the name. These offers were rejected by the ANP leadership and the ANP withdrew from both the federal and provincial governments. The lack of support for a name change by the PML (N) was defended as opposition to the nationalistic politics being pursued by the ANP. In May 2008, to accommodate a demand by the people of NWFP who voted for the ANP,
1690-921: A significant and evolving aspect of the country's economy and strategic landscape. The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) is a biennial defence exhibition and seminar organized by the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) since 2002 in Karachi Expo Center . See also: Military equipment manufactured in Pakistan & List of missiles of Pakistan See also: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ( /ˌkaɪbər pəkˈtuːŋkwə/ ; Pashto : خېبر پښتونخوا [ˈxebaɾ paxtunˈxwɑ] ; Urdu : خیبر پختونخوا , pronounced [ˈxɛːbəɾ pəxˈtuːnxʷɑː] ; abbr. KP or KPK ), formerly known as North West Frontier Province (NWFP),
1820-494: A significant regional military force. Youm-e-Takbir (Urdu: یومِ تکبیر, lit. "The Day of Greatness") is a national day celebrated in Pakistan on May 28 each year. It commemorates the Chagai-I and Chagai-II nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan in 1998. These tests made Pakistan the seventh country to possess nuclear weapons and the first Islamic-majority nation to do so. Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, particularly
1950-475: A sizeable unit of female army and air force personnel has been actively involved in military operations against Taliban forces. Members of the Pakistani military hold a rank, either that of officer or enlisted , and can be promoted. The following table summarizes current Pakistani military staffing: From 1947 to the early 2000s, Pakistan's military uniforms closely resembled those of their counterparts in
2080-436: A turning point. Realizing the vulnerability of relying solely on external sources, Pakistan sought help from China to expand its military capabilities. China played a crucial role in modernizing the POF facilities and fostering domestic production. In 1972, the aftermath of the 1971 war further emphasized the need for self-reliance. The government established the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) to coordinate and promote
2210-686: A two-star rear-admiral. According to the ISPR, the Marines are deployed at the southeastern regions of Pakistan to avoid infiltration and undercover activities from the Indian Army. As of current appointment, Rear Admiral Bashir Ahmed is currently serving as the Commandant of Marines. A small number of Marine Battalions are deployed at the Sir Creek region to deter the Indian Army, and coordinated
2340-494: A variation of the six-colour desert pattern. In each service's UCP, the name of the service branch, rank, and gallantry badges are worn on the chest; insignia are worn on the shoulders with the compulsory flag-of-Pakistan patch. Source: ISPR works, Commons As Pakistan became independent, the British military ranks and insignia were initially commissioned by the armed forces as part of a legacy of British colonialism . Within
2470-548: A vital role in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, along with tackling anti-smuggling activities. During natural disasters, the CAF collaborates closely with the military to provide relief and support. In times of war, the CAF falls under the direct command of the Ministry of Defence and the Pakistan Armed Forces. Estimates from 2024 place the strength of the CAF at approximately 291,000 personnel. With
2600-589: A wide range of missile systems in its arsenal. In spite of the Pressler amendment enforced in the 1990s, the army has been focused on development of land-based weapon systems and production of military hardware. Domestic innovation resulted in the successful development of G3A3 rifles, Anza missile systems, and Al-Zarrar and Al-Khalid main battle tanks (MBTs). Since 1947, the army has waged three wars with neighboring India, and several border skirmishes with Afghanistan . Due to Pakistan's diverse geography ,
2730-432: Is a province of Pakistan . Located in the northwestern region of the country, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the fourth largest province of Pakistan by land area and the third-largest province by population. It is bordered by Balochistan to the south; Punjab , Islamabad Capital Territory , and Azad Kashmir to the east; and Gilgit-Baltistan to the north and northeast. It shares an international border with Afghanistan to
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#17328016558942860-709: Is actively working to expand its defense exports. The country aims to achieve this by focusing on several key areas: enhancing the technological sophistication of its products, exploring new markets in Southeast Asia and beyond, and forging strategic partnerships to bolster its production capabilities. Events like the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) further contributes to these efforts by showcasing Pakistani defense products and fostering interactions with potential buyers. Overall, Pakistan's defense industry exports represent
2990-411: Is an all-volunteer military, but conscription can be enacted at the request of the president with the approval of the parliament of Pakistan . The military is the sixth largest in the world and has troops deployed around the globe in military assistance and peacekeeping operations. Pakistan is the only predominantly Muslim country in which women serve as high-ranking officers and in combat roles, and
3120-511: Is based at Islamabad . The air force is commanded by the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), by statute a four-star air chief marshal, appointed by the president, with the consultation and confirmation of the prime minister. As of March 2021, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar is the CAS. In many important events in Pakistan's history, the air force has played a pivotal, influential, and crucial role in
3250-500: Is being used for. The Navy's UCP is based on a design that incorporates sparse black and medium grey shapes on a light grey background. The Marines have a woodland pattern featuring light brown, olive green and dark blue shapes on a tan or light olive background. Slight colour variations have been noted. Other than a greenish flight suit and a standard service dress, the Air Forces's Airman Battle Uniform (ABU) camouflage features
3380-653: Is characterized by frequent invasions by various empires, largely due to its geographical proximity to the historically important Khyber Pass . Although it is colloquially known by a variety of other names, the name "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa" was brought into effect for the North-West Frontier Province in April 2010, following the passing of the 18th Constitutional Amendment . On 24 May 2018, the National Assembly of Pakistan voted in favour of
3510-573: Is deployed to conduct reconnaissance. The Civil Armed Forces (CAF) of Pakistan comprise several paramilitary organizations, separate and functionally distinct from the regular Pakistan Armed Forces. Operating under the purview of the Ministry of Interior in peacetime, the CAF shoulders the crucial responsibility of maintaining internal security. This encompasses assisting civilian law enforcement agencies in tasks like crime prevention, border control and public order maintenance. The CAF additionally plays
3640-520: Is home to 16.9 percent of Pakistan's total population . The province is multiethnic, with the main ethnic groups being the Pashtuns , Hindkowans , Saraikis , and Chitralis . Once a stronghold of Buddhism , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the site of the ancient region of Gandhara , including the ruins of the Gandharan capital of Pushkalavati (located near present day Charsadda ). The region's history
3770-498: Is one of the earliest incidents of police brutality in Pakistan in recent years, occurring before the Model Town Lahore incident , whose FIR has not been registered still today. Arif Nizami, former editor of The Nation , said, "This has actually opened a Pandora's box, because of Pakistan's very tenuous polity. Now, on one side, there are identity issues and ethnic issues and provincial autonomy issues. The other side
3900-401: Is religious issues and terrorism. It's a very explosive situation." Many alternative names were proposed for the province. Many of these alternatives were designed to avoid or balance the ethnic connotations of Pakhtunkhwa. The name Gandhāra was proposed by Pakistan Muslim League (N) , as a neutral name for the province. Gandhara was an ancient Indo-Aryan civilization centered in
4030-469: Is the chief of naval staff . Navy Day is celebrated on 8 September to commemorate its service in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. According to author Tariq Ali , the navy lost one-half of its force in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The Navy heavily depended on American-built naval technology and operated a large infrastructure from 1947 to 1971. The Pressler amendment forced an embargo in
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4160-667: Is to be replaced with approximately 75 K-8 Karakorum intermediate jet training aircraft. Other major developments continue to be under development by the local aerospace industries; some of its electronic systems were exhibited in IDEAS 2014 held in Karachi . Since the 1960s, the PAF has held regular combat exercises, such as Exercise Saffron Bandit and Exercise High Mark, modelled on the USAF Weapons School ; many authors believe
4290-561: The 25th Constitutional Amendment , which merged the FATA as well as the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa subsequently approved the bill on 28 May 2018; it was signed into law on 31 May by erstwhile Pakistani president Mamnoon Hussain , which officially completed the administrative merger process. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa means
4420-537: The Bangladesh Liberation War , fighting against the Indian Army. Due to poor combat performance in the war, high losses and casualties, and inability to effectively counter the Indian Army, the Marines were decommissioned by 1974. However, Marines continued to exist in its rudimentary form until 1988 to meet fundamental security requirements of Pakistan Navy units. In 1990, the Marines were recommissioned under Commander M. Obaidullah. The Marines are
4550-475: The British Empire . Since then, they have played a decisive role in the modern history of Pakistan , most notably due to fighting major wars with India in 1947–1948 , 1965 and 1971 . The armed forces have seized control of the government on several occasions, consequently forming what analysts refer to as a deep state referred to as " The Establishment ". The need for border management led to
4680-576: The British armed services . The Army uniform consisted of plain yellowish khaki , which was the standard issue as both the combat uniform (ACU) and the service uniform (ASU). The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) uniform was primarily based on the Royal Air Force uniform , with bluish-grey as its reporting colour markings. The Navy uniform was likewise based on the Royal Navy uniform , with predominant colours of navy blue and white. In 2003,
4810-593: The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) alongside the respective Chiefs of staffs of the Army , Navy , and Air Force . All branches are systemically coordinated during joint operations and missions under the Joint Staff Headquarters (JSHQ) . Since the 1963 Sino-Pakistan Agreement , the Pakistani military has had close relations with China , working jointly to develop
4940-635: The Chinese Air Force of a light-weight multi-role combat aircraft and further avionics development of the JF-17 is ongoing at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC). As of 2016, 70 JF-17s are operational and have replaced 50 Mirage IIIs and F-7Ps. The PAF plans to replace all F-7Ps and Mirage III/5 aircraft by 2020. The F-7PG will be replaced later, and the JF-17 fleet may eventually be expanded to 300 aircraft. Realizing
5070-482: The Dara Adam Khel area bordering Afghanistan, is known for a unique cottage industry: the manufacturing of unlicensed firearms by local gunsmiths. This industry boasts a long history, dating back to the mid-19th century, and has garnered a global reputation for its ability to produce replicas of sophisticated weaponry. Dara Adam Khel's story begins in 1857 with the establishment of a small gun-making factory by
5200-650: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 witnessing the secession of East Pakistan as the independent state of Bangladesh . Rising tensions with Afghanistan in the 1960s (primarily over the Durand Line dispute) and an indirect proxy war fought against the Soviet Union throughout the 1970s and 1980s in the Soviet–Afghan War with American, British and Israeli assistance led to a sharp rise in
5330-540: The Indo-Pakistani border . In the aftermath of the United States invasion of Afghanistan , more than 150,000 personnel were shifted towards the Tribal Areas adjacent to Afghanistan. Since 2004, Pakistan's military forces have been engaged in military efforts against al-Qaeda extremists. In comparison with multinational and US forces, Pakistan's military has suffered the highest number of casualties in
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5460-566: The JF-17 , the K-8 , and various weapons systems. As of 2021, China was the largest foreign supplier of military equipment to Pakistan in major arms. The military cooperation between the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Pakistan have accelerated the pace of joint military exercises , and their increasingly compatible weapons supply chains and network communication systems have accelerated
5590-531: The Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) completed its first long-range attack submarine, the Agosta 90B . This submarine marked a significant advancement, incorporating air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology acquired from France in 1995. Early 2000 saw further progress through joint ventures with China. These collaborations led to the introduction of the JF-17 fighter jet , developed by
5720-653: The Lodi dynasty (1451–1526). Meanwhile, the Pashtuns now appeared as a political factor. At the close of the fourteenth century they were firmly established in their present-day demographics south of Kohat, and in 1451 Bahlol Lodi's accession to the throne of Delhi gave them a dominant position in Northern India . Yusufzai tribes from the Kabul and Jalalabad valleys began migrating to the Valley of Peshawar beginning in
5850-665: The Nanda Empire , establishing the Mauryan Empire. A while after, Alexander's general Seleucus had attempted to once again invade the subcontinent from the Khyber pass hoping to take lands that Alexander had conquered, but never fully absorbed into this empire. Seleucus was defeated and the lands of Aria, Arachosia, Gandhara, and Gedrosia were ceded to the Mauryans in exchange for a matrimonial alliance and 500 elephants. With
5980-696: The National Guard and the Civil Armed Forces . A critical component to the armed forces' structure is the Strategic Plans Division Force , which is responsible for the maintenance and safeguarding of Pakistan's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile and assets. The President of Pakistan is the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces and the chain of command is organized under
6110-534: The Naval Air Arm provides fleet air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare capability. Mirage 5 aircraft donated by the PAF are flown by the Navy, equipped with Exocet anti-ship missiles. The Navy's fleet of P-3C Orion turboprop aircraft, equipped with electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems, play a pivotal role in the Navy's gathering of intelligence. Since 2001, the navy has emphasised its role and expanded its operational scope across
6240-466: The North-West Frontier Province (abbreviated as NWFP) until 2010 due to its relative location being in the northwest of the nation. Unofficially, it was known as Sarhad ( Urdu : سرحد ), derived from the province's Urdu name given to it by the Mughals, which means "frontier". For most of the history of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), there were efforts to change its name. The name Afghania
6370-738: The Pashtuns . His descendants reigned till 1179, when Muhammad of Ghor took Peshawar, making it part of his expanding Ghurid Empire . Following the invasion by the Ghurids, five unrelated heterogeneous dynasties ruled over the Delhi Sultanate sequentially: the Mamluk dynasty (1206–1290), the Khalji dynasty (1290–1320), the Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414), the Sayyid dynasty (1414–1451), and
6500-501: The Strategic Plans Division Force (SPD Force). Following military 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 . Recommendations of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission helped establish the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee to co-ordinate all military work and oversee joint missions and their execution during operations. The chairmanship of
6630-482: The United States dispatched a specialized Military Assistance Advisory Group to Pakistan to build its military; from this point onward, American military tradition and doctrine became more dominant within Pakistan's armed forces. In March 1956, the order of precedence of the Pakistani military's three formal services changed from "Navy-Army-Air Force" to "Army-Navy-Air Force". Between 1947 and 1971, Pakistan fought three direct conventional wars against India , with
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#17328016558946760-425: The Uzbek Shaybanids . He was forced to retreat westwards to Kabul but returned to defeat the Lodis in July 1526, when he captured Peshawar from Daulat Khan Lodi , though the region was never considered to be fully subjugated to the Mughals. Under the reign of Babar's son, Humayun , a direct Mughal rule was briefly challenged with the rise of the Pashtun Emperor, Sher Shah Suri , who began construction of
6890-421: The Yuezhi invasion of Bactria and relocated to Gandhara, pushing the Indo-Greeks east of the Jhelum River . The last known Indo-Greek ruler was Theodamas , from the Bajaur area of Gandhara, mentioned on a 1st-century CE signet ring, bearing the Kharoṣṭhī inscription "Su Theodamasa" ( "Su" was the Greek transliteration of the Kushan royal title "Shau" (" Shah " or "King")). It is during this period that
7020-462: The chairman acts as principal military adviser to the prime minister in the supervision and conduct of joint warfare . After the partitioning of British India in 1947, the Pakistan Army was formed by Indian Muslim officers serving in the British Indian Army . The largest branch of the nation's military, it is a professional, volunteer fighting force, with about 560,000 active personnel and 550,000 reserves (though estimates vary widely). Although,
7150-461: The nationwide floods of 2010 . A large number of Pakistan Armed Forces personnel are deployed overseas as part of the United Nations' peacekeeping missions. As of May 2019, 5,083 personnel were serving abroad, making Pakistan the sixth-largest contributor of personnel to UN peacekeeping missions. Defence industry of Pakistan The Defence Industry of Pakistan ( Urdu : دفاعی صنعتِ پاکستان ), established in September 1951, mainly falls under
7280-405: The second urbanisation . The region was a major centre for Greco-Buddhism under the Indo-Greeks and Gandharan Buddhism under later dynasties, including Indo-Scythians , Indo-Parthians and Kushans . Gandhara was also a central location for the spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and East Asia. Gāndhārī , an Indo-Aryan language written in Kharosthi script , acted as lingua franca of
7410-455: The " Khyber side of the land of the Pashtuns , " where the word Pakhtunkhwa means " Land of the Pashtuns ", while according to some scholars, it refers to "Pashtun culture and society". The province has had various names throughout history. Other names used or proposed for the province include Gandhara , Afghania , Pashtunistan , Pathanistan , Sarhad , Abaseen , Khyber , or a combination of names, such as Hazara-Pakhtunkhwa . When
7540-512: The 15th century, and displaced the Swatis of the Bhittani confederation and Dilazak Pashtun tribes across the Indus River to Hazara Division . Mughal suzerainty over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region was partially established after Babar, the founder of the Mughal Empire, invaded the region in 1505 CE via the Khyber Pass . The Mughal Empire noted the importance of the region as a weak point in their empire's defences, and determined to hold Peshawar and Kabul at all cost against any threats from
7670-480: The 16 Mahajanapadas of Vedic era . It was the centre of Vedic and later forms of Hinduism . Gandhara was frequently mentioned in Vedic epics, including Rig Veda , Ramayana and Mahabharata . It was the home of Gandhari , the princess of Gandhara Kingdom . In the spring of 327 BC Alexander the Great crossed the Hindu Kush and advanced to Nicaea , where Omphis, king of Taxila and other chiefs joined him. Alexander then dispatched part of his force through
7800-449: The 1990s, during which the navy developed air independent propulsion (AIP) technology purchased from France and built the Agosta -class submarines ; two of these (as well as one of the new frigates) were built at Pakistan's facilities in Karachi. The navy's surface fleet consists of helicopter carriers, destroyers , frigates , amphibious assault ships , patrol ships , mine-countermeasures, and miscellaneous vessels. Established in 1972,
7930-401: The Army; plain white service dress for the Navy (excluding the Marines). The Air Force abandoned its rank and uniform structure in 2006, and introduced its own uniform insignia which closely resembled that of the Turkish Army . The Army's standard UCP is based on a pixelated version of the region's arid desert patterns. The army's UCP varies depending on the type of missions and deployment it
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#17328016558948060-440: The British established it as a province, they called it "North West Frontier Province" (abbreviated as NWFP) until 2010 due to its relative location being in the northwest of the British Indian Empire . After the creation of Pakistan, Pakistan continued with this name but a Pashtun political party, Awami National Party based in the province demanded that the province name be changed to "Pakhtunkhwa". Their logic behind that demand
8190-403: The Constitution provides a basis for the service draft , conscription has never been imposed in Pakistan. A single command structure known as General Headquarters (GHQ) is based at Rawalpindi Cantt , adjacent to the Joint staff HQ . The army is commanded by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), by statute a four-star army general, appointed by the president with the consultation and confirmation of
8320-410: The Italian Republic followed suit, contributing 6.6% and 5.9%, respectively. Notably, the 2016-2020 period witnessed a 23% decrease in Pakistan's foreign arms imports compared to the preceding five-year period (2011-2015). Listed below are the main foreign suppliers to Pakistan: Pakistan's defense industry has emerged as a notable exporter of military equipment in recent decades. Its offerings encompass
8450-404: The JCSC is the highest military body; and its chairman serves as the principal staff officer (PSO) to the civilian prime minister, Cabinet , National Security Council (its adviser), and president . The JCSC deals with joint military planning, joint training, integrated joint logistics, and provides strategic directions for the armed forces; it periodically reviews the role, size, and condition of
8580-412: The JCSC rotates among the three main service branches, with appointment by the prime minister confirmed by the president . The chairman outranks all other four-star officers; however, he does not have operational command authority over the armed forces. In his capacity as chief military adviser, he assists the prime minister and the minister of defence in exercising their command functions. Technically,
8710-451: The Kabul valley. Their dates are still a matter of dispute, but it is beyond question that they reigned early in the Christian era. To this period may be ascribed the fine statues and bas-reliefs found in Gandhara and Udyana. Under Huvishka's successor, Vasushka , the dominions of the Kushan kings shrank. The Turk Shahis ruled Gandhara until 870, when they were overthrown by the Hindu Shahis . The Hindu Shahis are believed to belong to
8840-457: The Middle East, Africa and South Asia. However, Pakistan's defense exports also face challenges. Established players like the US, Russia, and European nations pose significant competition, and concerns have been raised about the level of technological sophistication in certain Pakistani defense products. Additionally, regional tensions and international arms control regulations can sometimes hinder export deals. Despite these challenges, Pakistan
8970-669: The PAF is capable of mastering the methods of " toss bombing " since the 1990s. The Pakistan Navy was formed in 1947 by the Indian Muslim officers serving in the Royal Indian Navy . The prefix "Royal" was soon added but dropped in 1956 when Pakistan became an Islamic republic . Its prime responsibility is to provide protection of nation's sea ports, marine borders , approximately 1,000 km (650 mi) of coastline, and supporting national security and peacekeeping missions. With approximately 30,000 active duty personnel and commissioned warships , its operational scope has expanded to greater national and international responsibility in countering
9100-413: The PPP proposed that the name of the North-West Frontier Province be changed to Pakhtunkhwa, however the Muslim League Nawaz which had considerable support in the Hindko -speaking Hazara region of the province announced it might oppose the name change because of it "being on ethnic grounds" because of opposition by its provincial leadership. The name Pakhtunkhwa was mentioned for the first time in
9230-510: The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), and the Al-Khalid main battle tank , produced at Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) . Since 2001, Pakistan has made significant strides towards self-sufficiency in aircraft overhaul and modernization, as well as in the export of defence equipment. In 2016, the Pakistani government managed to reduce its defence imports by 90%. Today, the MoDP oversees a vast network dedicated to research, development, production and administration, solidifying Pakistan's position as
9360-542: The Pakistan Armed Forces at over 20% of the annual budget of Pakistan. Elected officials and the lawmakers have been forced to come under military rule for over 30 years of Pakistan's existence. Leadership of the Pakistan Armed Forces is provided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), which controls the military from the Joint staff Headquarters (JS HQ), adjacent to the Air HQ , Navy HQ , and Army General HQ (GHQ) in
9490-470: The Pakistani military are a continuation of the former Viceroy of India 's commissioned pay grades during the British colonial period . Promotion to the JCO, however, remains a lucrative and powerful incentive for the enlisted military personnel; thus, if JCO ranks are ever phased out, it will probably be a slow process. It is estimated that approximately 60–70% of Pakistan's military personnel are deployed along
9620-550: The Pashto-speakers elsewhere in the province), and others said the name should not be changed since the people were accustomed to North-West Frontier Province. During the times of Indus Valley civilisation (3300 BCE – 1700 BCE) the Khyber Pass through Hindu Kush provided a route to other neighbouring empires and was used by merchants on trade excursions. From 1500 BCE, Indo-Iranian peoples started to enter in
9750-575: The Pashtun identity in it as they argued that there were other minor communities living in the province especially the Hazarewals of the Hazara region who spoke Hindko thus the word Khyber was introduced with the name because it is the name of a major pass which connects Pakistan to Afghanistan. For over a hundred years after its founding as a province of British Raj in 1901, it was known as
9880-638: The Shahi dynasty. Jayapala was succeeded by his son Anandapala , who along with other succeeding generations of the Shahiya dynasty took part in various unsuccessful campaigns against the advancing Ghaznvids but were unsuccessful. The Hindu rulers eventually exiled themselves to the Kashmir Siwalik Hills. After the battle of Peshawar, Mahmud of Ghazni had secured controlled over southern regions of Pakhtunkhwa. He also (1024 and 1025) raided
10010-520: The United Nation's General Assembly by Pakistani President Asif Zardari on 26 September 2008. The Pashtun nationalist Awami National Party based in the province demanded that the province name be changed to "Pakhtunkhwa". Their logic behind that demand was that Punjabi people , Sindhi people and Baloch people have their provinces named after their ethnicities but that is not the case for Pashtun people . Pakistan Muslim League (N) ,
10140-574: The Uḍi/Oḍi tribe, namely the people of Oddiyana (modern Swat) in Gandhara, although they are also variously stated to be Brāhmāns or Kshātriyas. The first king Kallar had moved the capital into Udabandhapura from Kabul, in the modern village of Hund for its new capital. At its zenith, the kingdom stretched over the Kabul Valley , Gandhara and western Punjab under Jayapala . Jayapala saw
10270-567: The air force has been heavily dependent on U.S., Chinese, and French aircraft technology to support its growth, despite impositions of the Pressler amendment. While F-16s continue to be a backbone of the air force, the local development and quick production of the JF-17 have provided an alternative route to meet its aerial combat requirements. According to PAF accounts, the air force plans to retire several of its ageing French-licensed Mirage III and Mirage 5 fighter jets. Joint production with
10400-724: The air force procured at least 18 newly built F-16 C/D Block 52s under the Peace Gate-II by the United States. In 2009, the PAF enlisted two types of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems aircraft: four Erieye -equipped Saab 2000s from Sweden, and a Chinese AWACS based on the Shaanxi Y-8F cargo aircraft. Four Ilyushin Il-78 aerial tankers, capable of refueling F-16, Mirage III, Mirage 5, JF-17, and FC-20 fighters, have been acquired second-hand from Ukrainian surplus stocks. The fleet of FT-5 and T-37 trainers
10530-466: The armed forces have taken control from the civilian government in various military coups —ostensibly to restore order in the country, citing corruption and gross inefficiency on the part of the civilian leadership. While many Pakistanis have supported these seizures of power, others have claimed that the rampant political instability, lawlessness and corruption in Pakistan are the direct consequence of consistent military rule . The budget allocation for
10660-967: The army has extensive combat experience in a variety of terrains. The army has maintained a strong presence in the Arab world during the Arab–Israeli Wars , aided the Coalition Forces in the first Gulf War , and played a major role in combat in the Bosnian War as well as rescuing trapped American soldiers in Mogadishu , Somalia in 1993. Recently, major joint-operations undertaken by the army include Operation Black Thunderstorm and Operation Rah-e-Nijat , against armed insurgents within Pakistan. The army has also been an active participant in UN peacekeeping missions . Brought into existence in 1947 with
10790-502: The country with the establishment of Naval Strategic Forces Command , based in Islamabad . In the 1990s, the navy lost its opportunity to equip itself with latest technology and negotiated with the Royal Navy to acquire ageing Tariq -class destroyers in 1993–94, which continue to be extensively upgraded. During the same time, the Navy engaged in a process of self-reliance and negotiated with China for assistance. This ultimately led
10920-646: The creation of the National Guard and the Civil Armed Forces to deal with civil unrest in the North-West , as well as the security of border areas in Punjab and Sindh by paramilitary troops. In 2024, the Pakistan Armed Forces had approximately 660,000 active personnel, excluding 25,000+ personnel in the Strategic Plans Division Forces and 291,000 active personnel in the various paramilitary forces. The military has traditionally had
11050-599: The defeat of the Greeks, the land was once more under Hindu rule. Chandragupta's son Bindusara further expanded the empire. However, it was Chandragupta's grandson Ashoka , who converted to Buddhism and made it the official state religion in Gandhara and also Pakhli , the modern Hazara, as evidenced by rock-inscriptions at Shahbazgarhi and Mansehra . After Ashoka's death the Mauryan empire fell to pieces, just as in
11180-475: The development of the Pakistan Armed Forces. In 1999, an extended period of intense border-skirmishing with India, the so-called Kargil War , resulted in a massive redeployment of forces in Kashmir . As of 2014, the military has been conducting counter-insurgency operations along the border areas of Afghanistan , while continuing to participate in several United Nations peacekeeping operations . Since 1957,
11310-665: The entire region between the Kabul Valley and Indus River . In the year 1001, soon after Sultan Mahmud came to power and was occupied with the Qarakhanids north of the Hindu Kush , Jaipal attacked Ghazni once more and upon suffering yet another defeat by the powerful Ghaznavid forces, near present-day Peshawar . After the Battle of Peshawar , he died because of regretting as his subjects brought disaster and disgrace to
11440-715: The establishment of the Pakistan Air Force Academy , the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is regarded as a "powerful defence component of the country's defence." The prefix "Royal" was added in 1947, but dropped when Pakistan became an Islamic republic in 1956. The PAF is the seventh-largest air force and the largest in the Muslim world , with about 943 combat fighter jets and over 200 trainer, transport, communication, helicopter, and force-multiplier aircraft. A single command structure Air Headquarters (AHQ)
11570-788: The exception of the Frontier Constabulary, command positions within the CAF are typically filled by officers on secondment from the Pakistan Army. Pakistan National Guard is a military reserve force and a component of the Pakistan Army . Functioning as a "second line of defense" alongside the Pakistan Army Reserve and the Civil Armed Forces , the National Guard's primary roles include internal security, disaster relief and wartime support for
11700-574: The famous Grand Trunk Road – which links Kabul, Afghanistan with Chittagong , Bangladesh over 2000 miles to the east. Later, local rulers once again pledged loyalty to the Mughal emperor. Yusufzai tribes rose against Mughals during the Yusufzai Revolt of 1667, and engaged in pitched-battles with Mughal battalions in Peshawar and Attock . Afridi tribes resisted Aurangzeb rule during
11830-693: The first Gulf War against Iraq , and actively taken part in the Somali and Bosnian conflicts . The Pakistani military traces its roots directly back to the British Indian Army , in which many British Indian Muslims served during World War I and World War II , prior to the Partition of India in 1947. Upon Partition, military formations with a Muslim-majority (such as the Indian Army 's infantry Muslim regiments) were transferred to
11960-642: The fusion of Hellenistic and South Asian mythological, artistic and religious elements becomes most apparent, especially in the region of Gandhara. Local Greek rulers still exercised a feeble and precarious power along the borderland, but the last vestige of the Greco-Indian rulers were finished by a people known to the old Chinese as the Yeuh-Chi. The Indo-Scythians were descended from the Sakas (Scythians) who migrated from Central Asia into South Asia from
12090-651: The iconic AK-47 to anti-aircraft guns, the industry prides itself on its ability to create affordable replicas of virtually any firearm in the world. These replicas, known as " Khyber Pass copies " are a testament to the skill of local gunsmiths. The cottage gunsmiths of Dara Adam Khel operate with resourcefulness. They employ basic hand tools and readily available materials such as scrap metal from railways and vehicles. The quality of these Khyber Pass copies varies significantly. While some may be comparable to factory-produced firearms, others can be dangerously unreliable and prone to malfunction. The Pakistan Armed Forces utilize
12220-557: The importance of fifth generation fighter aircraft , the PAF successfully negotiated for the procurement of approximately 36 Chinese FC-20 fighter jets – a deal worth around US$ 1.4 billion, signed in 2009. It was expected that the FC-20s would be delivered in 2015. In close co-ordination with Turkish Aerospace Industries , the PAC engaged in a mid-life update (MLU) program of its F-16 A/Bs, approximately 26 of which are in service. In 2010,
12350-536: The integration of defense capabilities between the two sides. Both nations also cooperate on the development of their nuclear and space technology programs. Alongside this, the Pakistani military also maintains relations with the United States in history, which gave Pakistan major non-NATO ally status in 2004. As such, Pakistan procures the bulk of its military equipment from China, the United States and its own domestic suppliers . The Pakistan Armed Forces were formed in 1947, when Pakistan gained independence from
12480-558: The introduction of F-22P Zulfiquar -class frigates , which were designed and developed at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW); at this same time, the Agosta -90B submarines were also built. Pakistan's role in the War on Terror led to a rapid modernisation, which saw the induction of the PNS Alamgir anti-submarine warship in 2011. The submarines remain to be backbone of
12610-428: The largest opposition party at the time was ready to change the province's name by supporting the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party and ANP, in a constitutional amendment but wanted to name the province something other than which does not carry only the Pashtun identity in it as they argued that there were other minor communities living in the province especially the Hazarewals of the Hazara region who spoke Hindko thus
12740-576: The middle of the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century BCE. They displaced the Indo-Greeks and ruled a kingdom that stretched from Gandhara to Mathura . The first Indo-Scythian king Maues established Saka hegemony by conquering Indo-Greek territories. The power of the Saka rulers declined after the defeat to Chandragupta II of the Gupta Empire in the 4th century. The Indo-Parthian Kingdom
12870-413: The nation's defence and national security, and promoted a sense of security in civil society. Its military significance and importance in public perception contribute to the PAF's dominance over the other major service branches. The PAF officially uses the slogan: "Second to None; fully abreast with the requisite will and mechanism to live by its standards in the coming millennium and beyond." Historically,
13000-483: The navy, which has been developing a nuclear submarine . Since 2001, media reports have been surfaced that the Navy has been seeking to enhance its strategic strike capability by developing naval variants of the nuclear cruise missile . The Babur cruise missile has a range of 700 kilometres (430 mi) and is capable of using both conventional and nuclear warheads. Future developments of Babur missiles include capability of being launched from submarines, surface ships, and
13130-645: The new Dominion of Pakistan , while on an individual basis, Indian Muslims could choose to transfer their allegiance and service to the Pakistan Armed Forces (consisting of the Pakistan Army , Royal Pakistan Navy and Royal Pakistan Air Force ) or remain serving in the Indian Armed Forces of the Dominion of India . Significant figures who opted for the former included Ayub Khan (British Indian Army), Haji Mohammad Siddiq Choudri ( Royal Indian Navy ) and Asghar Khan ( Royal Indian Air Force ). Many of
13260-595: The nomadic Xiongnu . One group, known as the Kushan, took the lead, and its chief, Kadphises I , seized vast territories extending south to the Kabul valley. His son Kadphises II conquered North-Western India, which he governed through his generals. His immediate successors were the fabled Hindu kings : Kanishka, Huvishka, and Vasushka or Vasudeva, of whom the first reigned over a territory which extended as far east as Benares, far south as Malwa, and also including Bactria and
13390-548: The people of Hazara region and protests erupted in the region with wheel and shutter jam strikes. Abbottabad became the nerve center of the movement. On the 10th of April, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police fired at unarmed protesters, leaving 7 dead and dozens injured. Allegedly, the firing was ordered by the coalition government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, led by the Awami National Party . This
13520-812: The present-day province. The core of the region of Gandhara was the Peshawar valley and Swat valley , though the cultural influence of "Greater Gandhara" extended across the Indus river to the Taxila region in Potohar Plateau and westwards into the Kabul valley in Afghanistan, and northwards up to the Karakoram range. It was attested in the Rigveda , and it was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas of
13650-578: The prime minister. As of 2022, General Asim Munir was the chief of army staff. Army General Sahir Shamshad Mirza is the current Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The army has a wide range of corporate (e.g.: Fauji Foundation ), commercial (e.g.: Askari Bank ), and political interests, and on many occasions has seized control of the civilian government to restore order in the country. The Army Aviation Corps reportedly operates about 250 aircraft, including approximately 40 AH-1 Cobra combat helicopters. The Army Strategic Forces Command operates
13780-547: The province's Pashtun ethnic identity. The renaming issue was an emotional one which often crossed party lines and not all supporters of a renaming agreed on the name Pakhtunkhwa. By the late 20th century, President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq agreed with Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan to change the name to Pashtunistan but he contended that the term Pashtunistan had become controversial and was being politicized by Afghanistan. Ghaffar Khan suggested Pakhtunkhwa, but Zia-ul-Haq asked Ghaffar Khan to suggest an alternative. The name Pakhtunkhwa
13910-513: The purview of the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) . It aims to foster collaboration and oversee the diverse range of military production facilities that have emerged since Pakistan's independence. The MoDP comprises specialized organizations, each dedicated to various aspects of the defence industry, including research and development, production, and administration. At the time of its creation in 1947, Pakistan inherited virtually no military industry or production capability. Its heavy industry
14040-478: The region from Central Asia after having passed the Khyber Pass. The region of Gandhara , which was primarily based in the area of modern-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa features prominently in the Rigveda ( c. 1500 – c. 1200 BCE ), as well as the Zoroastrian Avesta , which mentions it as Vaēkərəta , the sixth most beautiful place on earth created by Ahura Mazda . It was one of
14170-499: The region. Famed for its unique Gandharan style of art which is influenced by the classical Hellenistic styles, Gandhara attained its height from the 1st century to the 5th century CE under the Kushan Empire , who had their capital at Peshawar ( Puruṣapura ). Some Hazara residents said that the new name should be Hazara-Pakhtunkhwa (in reference to the Hazara region where Hindko -speakers are dominant as compared to
14300-540: The regular army. Established on 1 January 1948, it comprises approximately 185,000 personnel with its headquarters at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi . As of 2024, estimations by national and international bodies were that approximately 660,000 people were on active duty in the three main service branches, with an additional 291,000 serving in paramilitary forces and 550,000 in reserve. It
14430-540: The relief efforts in the 2010 Pakistan floods . Almost an entire combat contingent of Marines were deployed in Sindh and Southern Punjab to lead the flood-relief operations in 2014. For intelligence purposes, the army immediately raised the combat battalion of the Marines, from the officers of the Navy, in 1999. Major intelligence activities are gathered from the Sir Creek region by the Marines, where an entire battalion
14560-460: The rock Aornos, but Alexander made Embolima (possibly Amb ) his base, and attacked the rock from there, which was captured after a desperate resistance. Meanwhile, Peukelaotis (in Hashtnagar , 17 miles (27 km) north-west of Peshawar ) had submitted, and Nicanor, a Macedonian, was appointed satrap of the country west of the Indus. Mauryan rule began with Chandragupta Maurya displacing
14690-595: The senior officers who would form the Pakistan Armed Forces had fought with British forces in World War II , thus providing the newly created country with the professionalism, experience and leadership it would need in its future wars against neighbouring India . In a formula arranged by the British , military resources were to be divided between India and Pakistan in a ratio of 64% going to India and 36% going to Pakistan. The Pakistani military largely retained British military traditions and doctrine until 1956, when
14820-577: The service uniforms for each major service branch were revised and orders were made to issue new uniforms roughly based on the American military. With Marines reestablished in 2004, the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) uniforms are now worn by each service in respect to their colours; the flag of Pakistan patch worn on the shoulder became compulsory. In the military, the service dress , however, remains yellowish khaki for
14950-601: The threat of sea-based global terrorism, drug smuggling, and trafficking issues. A single command structure known as Naval Headquarters (NHQ) is based at the Rawalpindi Cantt , adjacent to the Joint Staff HQ. The navy is commanded by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), who is by statute a four-star admiral, appointed by the president, with the required consultation and confirmation of the prime minister. As of October 2020, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi
15080-477: The three main service branches; and it advises the civilian government on strategic communications, industrial mobilisations plans, and formulating defence plans. In many ways, the JCSC provides an important link to understand, maintain balance, and resolve conflicts between military and political circles . In times of peace, the JCSC's principle functions are to conduct planning of civil–military input; in times of war,
15210-721: The uniform service branch within the Navy whose leadership comes directly from the Navy. It shares the Navy's rank code , but conducts its combined combat training with army at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul and School of Infantry in Quetta. Its single command structure is based at the Manora Fort in Qasim Marine Base in Karachi and the Marines are under the command of the Commander Coast (COMCOAST), by statute
15340-807: The valley of the Kabul River, while he himself advanced into Bajaur and Swat with his light troops. Craterus was ordered to fortify and repopulate Arigaion , probably in Bajaur, which its inhabitants had burnt and deserted. Having defeated the Aspasians, from whom he took 40,000 prisoners and 230,000 oxen, Alexander crossed the Gouraios ( Panjkora ) and entered the territory of the Assakenoi and laid siege to Massaga, which he took by storm. Ora and Bazira (possibly Bazar) soon fell. The people of Bazira fled to
15470-803: The vicinity of the Rawalpindi Military District , Punjab. The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee is composed of the Chairman Joint Chiefs , the Chief of Army Staff , the Chief of Air Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff . At the JS HQ, it forms with the office of the Engineer-in-Chief , Navy Hydrographer , Surgeon-General of each inter-service, director of JS HQ, and Director-Generals (DGs) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Inter-Services Selection Board (ISSB), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and
15600-423: The war on terror, both in confrontations with al-Qaeda and during border skirmishes with the United States . After the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the subsequent standoff with India, several combat divisions were redeployed to Eastern and Southern Pakistan . In addition to its military deployments, the armed forces also assist the government in responding to natural disasters such as the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and
15730-421: The west the Seleucid power was waning. The Indo-Greek king Menander I (reigned 155–130 BCE) drove the Greco-Bactrians out of Gandhara and beyond the Hindu Kush , becoming king shortly after his victory. His empire survived him in a fragmented manner until the last independent Greek king, Strato II , disappeared around 10 CE. Around 125 BCE, the Greco-Bactrian king Heliocles , son of Eucratides, fled from
15860-402: The west. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a varied geography of rugged mountain ranges , valleys, rolling foothills, and dense agricultural farms. While it is the third-largest Pakistani province in terms of both its population and its economy , it is geographically the smallest. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's share of Pakistan's GDP has historically comprised 10.5%, amounting to over US$ 30 billion. The province
15990-429: The word Khyber was introduced with the name because it is the name of a major pass which connects Pakistan to Afghanistan. In early 2010, the process of renaming proceeded and the Pakistani Senate confirmed the name change to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the 18th amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan with a unanimous 90 votes on 15 April 2010. The name change of the province was met with strong opposition from
16120-474: Was approved by the democratically elected constitutional assembly of the province in 1997 by majority vote. However, the PML (N) parliamentary party of NWFP rejected the ANP demand but called for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to suggest another "non-controversial" name. PML (N) members noted that Sarhad was a good name for the province but, if a change was needed, then it should be named Khyber or Abasin. The NWFP chief minister, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, called for
16250-420: Was limited to the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) , mainly focused on civilian maritime construction. To meet its defense needs, the newly formed nation relied solely on inherited equipment or imports, primarily from the United Kingdom. Recognizing the need for self-reliance, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan established the Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) in Wah in 1951. Led by Dr. Abdul Hafeez ,
16380-399: Was often inspired by the Arsacid dynasty, but they probably belonged to a wider groups of Iranic tribes who lived east of Parthia proper, and there is no evidence that all the kings who assumed the title Gondophares , which means "Holder of Glory", were even related. The Yuezhi nomads had driven the Sakas from the highlands of Central Asia , and were themselves forced southwards by
16510-446: Was proposed first by the founding leaders of the Muslim League in 1933 and was at least partly chosen to represent the first "a" in "P a kistan". The need for a change was explained by the man who named Pakistan in his " Now or Never " pamphlet, Choudhary Rahmat Ali Khan, as: "North-West Frontier Province" is semantically non-descript and socially wrongful. It is non-descript because it merely indicates their geographical situation as
16640-401: Was ruled by the Gondopharid dynasty, named after its first ruler Gondophares . For most of their history, the leading Gondopharid kings held Taxila (in the present Punjab province of Pakistan ) as their residence, but during their last few years of existence the capital shifted between Kabul and Peshawar . These kings have traditionally been referred to as Indo-Parthians, as their coinage
16770-442: Was that Punjabi people , Sindhi people and Baloch people have their provinces named after their ethnicities but that is not the case for Pashtun people . Pakistan Muslim League (N) , the largest opposition party at the time was ready to change the province's name by supporting the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party and ANP, in a constitutional amendment but wanted to name the province something other than which does not carry only
16900-443: Was the sixth-largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping efforts , with 4,516 personnel deployed overseas . Other foreign deployments have consisted of Pakistani military personnel serving as military advisers in various African and Arab countries . The Pakistani military has maintained combat divisions and brigade-strength presences in some Arab states during the Arab–Israeli Wars , aided American-led coalition forces in
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