The tale of Pakistan Army stands against the heavy odds starts from the birth of Pakistan. It's a tale of firm fortitude and supreme protection by the sons of soil who vowed to hold a nation and guard a nation state.
The evolution of the armed forces ensued from the dawn of green strip on the map of the world. On June 30, 1947 the modus operandi for dissection of the armed forces took place and on July 1, it was declared that both countries would have outfitted control of their respective armed forces by 15th of August 1947.
The legitimate agreement called for the armed forces and other assets to be divided to the allotment of 64% for India and 36% for Pakistan, nevertheless later on Pakistan was enforced to agree upon one-third share only of the total assets. Just nine training establishments were allotted to Pakistan from the total of 46.
By October 1947 there were only 10 infantry brigades at less than 50% strength and an armored brigade with only 13 running STUART tanks. Army had ammunition reserves for less than one week and Pakistan was told in a Joint Defence Council meeting that in case of war with India no other member of the Commonwealth would come to Pakistan's help. At that time our armed forces were given less benefits but Allah Almighty blessed it unconquered will, by closing the eyes to quantity, it put efforts on quality and by the time proved as best all over the world. Today Pakistan has the seventh largest military force in the world.
Since its birth, heavy burden was placed on the young shoulders of Pakistan Army as soon after independence Pakistan and India busted in short but sharp conflicts.
In a little while Kashmir issue broke down, commonly known as First Kashmir War and still an unresolved issue. The 1960s era is worth to be mentioned in order to applaud Pakistan Army, since it courageously faced the Run of Kutchh conflict. After several cease-fire infringements India dared to attack the International Border from Sialkot to Sindh sector. The attacks were not only halted on all fronts by our armed forces but in a series of counterattacks the Pakistan Army penetrated 68 miles inside the Indian territory and captured more territory than the Indian army captured Pakistan's territory. Pakistan Army having less force and less assets forced India to eventually ask for a cease-fire which was later arranged by the United Nations on September 23. As in later years Field Marshal Ayub Khan recalled this spirit of army by saying, "It would always be a matter of pride and glory for this army when history will recall how heavy a burden was placed on its young shoulders and how creditably it always rose to the occasion."
Our soldiers at Siachen Glacier deserve an immense admiration that besides fighting the enemies also have to fight the rigors of weather and nature. Pakistan Army's job in the Chumik Operation and during the Kargil conflict cannot be undermined. Apart from border clashes and operations, Pakistan army constantly stayed as an active contributor to the UN Missions since 1960 and stands regular in its troops' contribution in Somalia, Bosnia, Liberia, Congo and Sierra Leone. Pakistan Army won the title of the largest active force in the peacekeeping efforts by the United Nations.
Pakistan Army audaciously fought four wars with hostile neighbour India, besides numerous border skirmishes with Afghanistan. Although main responsibility of the armed forces is to obviously protect the borders maintain security of administrative areas while defending the national interest, but beside this, it played important role in the war against terrorism. Large numbers of soldiers are deployed at different places for operating against militants. The lives given by hundreds of young officers and soldiers while fighting militant outfits, particularly during the Operation Rah-e-Rast and Operation Rah-e-Nijaat, will always be acknowledged. The Operation in Bajaur Agency was a great success story; over 1,600 militants were killed in the operation.
In addition to keeping the borders secure, the focus of Pakistan army has stayed on governing and serving the country. It played a dynamic role in nation building activities. Stepping forward in infrastructure development, the army instituted National Logistic Cell (NLC) which is proficient of fighting logistic catastrophes, principally the management of dry and liquid cargo in the countryside. It has given away evident advancement on some of very imperative national projects that comprise port handling, construction works and special projects. Further, the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) takes on big projects of bridges, road communication, canals, dams, and earthworks. Building of Wali Tangi Dam, Levy Post dams in Balochistan, Islam Kachh and water supply schemes in Thar Desert are some of the instances of army water supply design, which have definitely put an affirmative blow upon the milieu and the local residents. In past 30 years it has built 3,797 km roads including Karakurum Highway (KKH), Gilgit-Skardu linkage, and working on preparing some new. It has carried out widespread work on irrigation structures which incorporates numerous dams, while the construction of a few thermal power stations also falls in this category.
Pakistan Armed Forces have established a number of organisations for running industrial and commercial enterprises. These organisations provide employment to ex-servicemen, and others, the list includes Army Welfare Trust (AWT), Fauji Foundation and Shaheen Foundation. In order to give solidity and advancement to the nation, AWT is doing a fundamental task as a financial and industrial group. Likewise, Fauji Foundation is sustaining a large number of welfare projects where free medical care, sponsored quality education and free technical trainings are being provided to many.
Pakistan Army established a Special Communication Organisation (SCO) in 1976 and till now it is performing an imperative job in development of telephone and telegraph facilities in the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir. Moreover army's role in the health sector is very much known. It is administrating some of the finest education institutions in the country. National University of Science and Technology, Cadet Colleges and a large number of Army Public Schools & Federal Government institutions are a few examples in this regard. The recipients are comprised of almost 57% civilians.
Since independence there have been incidents where the services of Pakistan Army have been requested by the civil authorities to facilitate them to handle the calamities or complexities for which they found their own possessions insufficient. These tasks ranged from rescue and relief operations during natural calamities like earthquake and floods, occasional tasks like Anti-Locust Operations undertaken during the locust menace of 1951-53 in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, to Anti Wild Boar Operations of 1961 carried out in Punjab and Sindh. When the threat of famine struck East Pakistan in 1950s, again the army was called in to help. The food position in the province had started worsening swiftly during the last months of 1955. It was a hard task to manage supply food from army's quartermasters stores and sensible utilisation of the available civil resources in the most efficient way possible. Army's this forthcoming attitude in assisting civil administration with its own resources in all tasks definitely put a contributory effect towards nation building.
The persistent efforts of Pakistan Army at the time of natural disasters are very well recognised by the nation. The most recent instance is the response of Pakistan Army to the earthquake of October 2005. Regardless of having their own bunkers destroyed and casualties suffered, they stood solid against the calamity with audacity and steel nerves motivated by the spirit to serve the nation so the jawans counter the ambush of earthquake daringly. Here it is appreciable on behalf of the Pakistan Army that soon after the foundation of Pakistan; the Army reorganised itself and paid attention to producing finances through their corporate organisations and self-financing mechanisms as this strategy always helped in time of need.
Since its earliest days Pakistan has had to compete with floods dilemma since 1948 till now. Floods in Pakistan persist to remain a national disaster; army is called upon in aid of civil power for undertaking relief rescue operations for protection of life and property during the food season. Over the period, army has developed a comprehensive organisational set-up to fight any challenges resulting from floods in the country. Army flood relief centre established at Engineers Directorate General Headquarters, is functioning round the clock during flood days for the rescue and relief of stranded families, and in the renovation of damaged bunds, roads and railway lines. With their hard work they infused a completely new spirit into the hard pressed civil services, and raised the confidence of the flood victims. A large part of its manpower and equipment was assembled to help out the civil agencies in the rescue and relief of millions of marooned, homeless and hunger-stricken people.
The efforts of Pakistan Army for the least developed province Balochistan are especially appreciable. The foremost is the successful resolve of the Chamalang Coalmines problem. The Chamalang coat reserves were discovered in 1885 during the British rule. The exploration work started in 1980s and instead of prosperity, a bloody war started between the Pashtun Luni and Baloch Marri tribes over the ownership dispute. Army intervened to resolve the old and complicated blood feud through talks, and started a comprehensive social uplift programme focusing no education, health and communication infrastructure in Balochistan. Army stepped ahead on the directions of General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), to make an across the-board endeavour to enroll maximum youth from Balochistan. Kassa Hills Marble project has lately been initiated by Pakistan Army wills the co-operation of provincial government for the social and economic development of Balochistan. Army always stands with such initiatives which can contribute positively towards the betterment of the common people.
Not merely on national level, Pakistan Army earned a good name at regional and international level; it has attained a lot of titles throughout the career. The most recent includes the Guinness world record by a soldier Muhammad Youuaf Jamil, Lance Naik of the Pakistan Army, by planting maximum plants in the given timeline. Army wrestler Azhar Hussain won first gold medal for Pakistan in 55Kg free style weight category at 19th Commonwealth games. Besides if was indeed a great achievement when Pakistan Army won gold medal in "Cambrian Patrol" which is said to be one of the toughest patrolling tests for military personnel.
Pakistan Army has emerged a highly motivated and modern force among other world forces which is working hard in order to protect the frontiers of Pakistan. Being the best army in the world, it stands alert and ready as to Warden of marches. The efforts and sufferings of soldier and martyrs need to be accredited on every podium. We owe a debt to brave soldier of Pakistan Army, who hugged death for the good of Pakistan and who are serving the nations well. These are our heroes, great nations always immense a great love for their soldiers, for their warriors who put their lives on a line to make us safe. They instigate sense of security and hope. They are the mark of our self-esteem.
Defence Day is a day to acknowledge our brave and courageous jawans who live and die for us. It's say to admire the sacrifices of those soldiers who defended their country at their best and offered their lives for this cause. Pakistan Armed Forces role in establishing the peace and saving Motherland will certainly be remembered as tremendous character of future Pakistan History. We feel proud to have such fighting tigers, who always step forward to thrash out any dilemma which hit Pakistan. We owe Pakistan Army soldier for being the legends of resolute determination and absolute defense.