2. Armed forces of Pakistan are an
integral part of Pakistani
economy. These offer jobs to
Pakistani youth and serve as
cushion to avoid recession. In
Pakistan, military service is not
essential or compulsory for every
undergraduate or graduate. Every
year three forces advertise for
recruitment countrywide for
different cadres. Selection on
merit is done by inter services
selection boards in different
major cities like Karachi, Kohat
and Gujranwala. Young men join
forces at their own will whereas
women love to join armed forces
to learn leadership. Foreigners
also get training and education
besides joint exercises.
There are three types of officers;
commissioned, junior
commissioned & non-
commissioned. It is a
misconception that selection and
promotion in armed forces are
done on nepotism instead of skill-
based merit and performance.
Armed forces produce leaders by
lifelong training at score of
schools and institutions
countrywide. Cadet colleges and
defense universities also offer
admission to students.
Government is aware of role of
dynamic 600K+ HR forces thus it
has been increasing defense
budget.
3. Current annual budget is just
US$6.3 billion. There is strict
audit system for expenditures.
One must remember that armed
forces of Pakistan are peaceful
and these do not have aggressive
attitude towards neighborly
countries. Armed forces have
been participated in UN
peacekeeping missions
worldwide. Every citizen has a
blood relative in the armed forces
thus be it flood, earthquake,
elections or terrorism activity,
armed forces have been helping
the civil compatriots. Armed
forces take great care of families
of injured on duty, deceased,
discharged at will and retired
officers and soldiers. One finds
better climate and health
conditions in 41 cantonments.
Sajid Imtiaz
Chief Editor, Daily 10 Minutes
Communications Expert, CDKN
Honorary Member, Pakistan Society of
Criminology
Some short sighted political
analysts, journalists and
economists are against organized
growth of defense sector. Mostly
defense organizations keep
quality standards like ISO-9000.
Next annual defense budget must
be around US$8 billion.
Introduction of Sports Corps will
make armed forces a role model
for the world. Hopefully JCOAS
will setup Sports Corps in armed
forces of Pakistan.