Commanders briefed on Army's restructuring plan

28 Apr, 2004

The Formation Commanders Conference, with President General Pervez Musharraf in the chair, continued at the General Headquarters for the second day on Tuesday.
The Formation Commanders were briefed on the security situation, threat perception, training and operational preparedness, logistics and welfare aspects of the Army.
While reviewing the threat, the senior commanders dilated upon the Indian doctrine of "Cold Start" and felt satisfied after going through the response options of the Pakistan Army, an ISPR press release said.
The participants of the conference were also briefed on the Army's restructuring plan, which envisages the Pakistan Army to be lean but lethal and hard hitting.
It will improve the teeth to tail ratio, in which tail is being reduced by about 50,000 men to allow sizeable savings in funds.
This saving is being directed to enhance the combat efficiency of the Army.
However, this reduction in manpower will in no case affect the fighting potential of the Army, it will rather transform the Army into more potent, enhance its response capabilities and result in a fine balance between quality and quantity.
The President also approved Pakistan Army's plan to replace use of combat soldiers as batmen of officers and junior commissioned officers with a new cadre called Non-Combatant Bearers employed on contract.
The change that was affirmed by all the Formation Commanders participating in the conference, will take effect in five months with effect from August 1, 2004.
By the end of this year, all combat soldiers will revert to their operational duties.
The president and other participants of the conference also witnessed display of indigenously produced weapons and equipment and research and development projects.

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