Inquiries often arise about the Pakistan Army’s involvement in the country’s development and its tangible contributions to societal improvement. Some assert that the Army prioritizes its interests over the well-being of the people; but these claims lack foundation. While the primary focus of the Army is national defence, it is also committed to supporting civilian infrastructure.
Dedicated to national security, the Army expands its mission to healthcare. Beyond its core responsibility of defence, it has transformed into a formidable force providing healthcare.
With a nationwide network of state-of-the-art military hospitals and medical facilities, the Army ensures access to modern medical technology and highly skilled healthcare professionals. These facilities offer a broad spectrum of services, ranging from general healthcare to specialized treatments. The Army consistently plays a pivotal role in emergency medical responses and disaster relief. Army medical teams are often the first on the scene of natural disasters or medical emergencies, delivering critical care to affected communities.
The sectors mentioned above offer just a glimpse of the diverse fields where the Army actively assists the civilian government, making significant contributions to the country’s development and systems while steadfastly fulfilling its primary mandate of defending the nation
Acknowledging the necessity for healthcare in remote areas, the Pakistan Army deploys mobile medical units to provide services, preventive care, and health education. This proactive approach aims to bridge healthcare gaps, ensuring even the most marginalized populations receive essential medical attention.
The Army actively participates in medical research and development, focusing on infectious diseases, trauma care, and medicine. These insights not only benefit military healthcare but also have broader implications for civilian healthcare. Veterans receive specialized healthcare services, encompassing rehabilitation, mental health support, and geriatric care.
In collaboration with civilian healthcare institutions, the Army enhances healthcare services for the general population, sharing resources, expertise, and contributing to joint initiatives addressing public health challenges. The Army plays a crucial role in training healthcare professionals, thereby contributing to a robust healthcare workforce.
The Army is regularly called upon nationwide to participate in the desilting and cleaning of barrages, canals, and interconnected waterway arteries. It afforestation initiatives have effectively transformed extensive wastelands into cultivable areas, simultaneously nurturing saplings. A comprehensive afforestation campaign has been implemented along the border belt and other designated regions.
The Army assumes a crucial role in the domains of agriculture and animal husbandry, managing animal dairy, agriculture farms, and breeding high-quality milk-producing animals. Furthermore, the Army takes a lead in promoting sports, providing not only sports facilities but also coaching for promising young talent.
The Fauji Foundation, a self-sustaining welfare organization, significantly contributes to nation-building by supporting ex-servicemen, their families, and dependents of martyrs through revenue-generating industrial and commercial projects.
The Army Welfare Trust generates funds for the welfare and rehabilitation of orphans and widows of martyrs, disabled and retired personnel, while also creating employment opportunities for both retired soldiers and civilians.
Addressing the challenges in Pakistan’s education sector, the Army has played a substantial role. The Army Public Schools and Colleges System, encompassing 230 schools nationwide for children aged 3 to 18, accommodates a diverse student population, including civilians from various socio-economic backgrounds. This system contributes to improving education accessibility and quality, addressing the national issue of approximately 22.8 million out-of-school children.
Additionally, the armed forces play a pivotal role in establishing higher education institutes to impart quality education, collaborating with the Government of Pakistan through major universities such as the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), National University of Modern Languages (NUML), National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), National University of Technology (NUTECH), Bahria University, and Air University.
In collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps are actively involved in spreading knowledge across the province. Under the “Ilam Tulo Da Para” (Education for All) programme, nine pilot projects have been initiated in Mohmand, Tirah, Hasankhel, Dara Adamkhel, Karam, Janikhel, Tank, Sararogha, and Angar Adda. Over 4000 boys and girls have already benefited, with over 500 girls participating in digital skills courses at four centres. Additionally, 24 inactive schools have been re-activated, and under the Adult Learning Programme, 250 adults are receiving training in various courses. The Composite Youth Programme focuses on fostering creativity among youth through step-by-step extracurricular training. The Army is committed to making knowledge acquisition accessible to every child.
Despite being tasked with responsibilities beyond its traditional role, the Army utilizes its disciplined manpower, organizational proficiency, technical acumen, accountability, sincere intent, and extensive experience to make positive impacts in remote areas. This involves the development of roads, educational facilities, water supply projects, and the provision of medical services through Combined Military Hospitals (CMHs) and medical camps in regions like Gilgit-Baltistan, former FATA, Chitral, and Balochistan.
The Frontier Works Organization stands as a military engineering entity, positioned as a significant science and technology command within the Army. Its mission encompasses diverse objectives, including civil, combat, structural, and military engineering projects, all overseen by a major general. Notably, the FWO took the lead in planning and constructing the Karakoram Highway, showcasing its proficiency in both civil and military infrastructure development for the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Armed Forces.
Simultaneously, the National Logistic Cell (established 1978) became vital for the swift movement of imported wheat from Karachi. Primarily composed of manpower from the Army, the NLC operates under the Planning and Development Ministry, collaborating with the Planning Commission. Beyond its role in transportation during emergencies and wars, the NLC plays a pivotal part in the nationwide construction of roads, bridges, and grain storage facilities.
The Army has played a crucial role in providing valuable assistance during natural disasters and in the construction of roads and bridges. Establishing communication infrastructure in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan exceeded the capabilities of civilian organizations. The Special Communication Organization was instrumental in preventing Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan being isolated from the rest of the country by providing telephone, telegraph, and satellite communication services. Additionally, the SCO operates with a strategic defence orientation and significantly contributes to the country’s economy.
The Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), a substantial industrial complex, stands out as one of the country’s largest manufacturers of engineering tools, weapons, and ammunition. It plays a pivotal role in the national economy as the leading exporter of arms and ammunition. Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), in collaboration with China, is actively involved in the production of defence-related goods, employing both military and civilian personnel in the manufacturing of armoured personnel carriers (APCs), tanks, and artillery guns.
In 1998, the Pakistan Army was enlisted to revitalize the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). Serving officers were brought in to manage the offices of the electricity board and vigilance wings, with the primary objective of recovering the organization from financial losses by extracting funds from defaulters.
Known for its rapid response capabilities in the aftermath of natural disasters, the Army consistently ranks among the first responders, delivering immediate relief and support to affected populations following earthquakes, floods, or other calamities.
A core responsibility is the execution of search and rescue operations. Specially trained personnel are dispatched to affected areas, skillfully locating and rescuing individuals trapped in debris or stranded in flooded regions. Precision, skill, and a profound commitment to human life underscore these operations.
Recognized as one of the country’s most transparent institutions, the Army places transparency at the forefront of its governance and accountability principles. Acknowledging the significance of openness and accountability, the Army consistently endeavours to uphold these values, contributing to the overall welfare and resilience of the nation.
The Pakistan Army has taken substantial measures to enhance public disclosure and information sharing. Regular updates on military operations, exercises, and official statements are distributed from ISPR through official channels, ensuring the public receives accurate and timely information. This commitment to openness serves to dispel misinformation and foster trust between the military and the civilian population. Transparency is closely tied to accountability, and the Pakistan Army has implemented robust internal mechanisms at various levels. Military personnel adhere to a strict code of conduct, and any instances of misconduct or ethical breaches are investigated. The accountability process is designed to maintain the highest standards of discipline and professionalism.
Financial transparency is a crucial aspect of accountability, and in alignment with broader national initiatives, the Army has made strides in budget transparency. Publicly accessible information on defence expenditures and budget allocations contributes to a clearer understanding of resource distribution and spending priorities.
Institutional reforms have been undertaken by the Army to bolster transparency and efficiency, with a focus on streamlining administrative processes, reducing bureaucratic obstacles, and enhancing decision-making structures. These initiatives contribute to a more transparent and accountable military organization.
Furthermore, the Army plays a pivotal role in facilitating the smooth conduct of elections and censuses. Leveraging their extensive resources, they effectively reach every corner of the country. The Army is called upon by civilian governments to provide such services, and allegations of self-initiated interference in elections are unfounded.
The sectors mentioned above offer just a glimpse of the diverse fields where the Army actively assists the civilian government, making significant contributions to the country’s development and systems while steadfastly fulfilling its primary mandate of defending the nation.
