The Evolution of the Pakistan Army
By Brig.(Ret.) Noor A.Husain
The story of the evolution of the Pakistan Army is the story of the birth of Pakistan itself against heavy odds. It is a story of unflinching determination of the Founding Fathers led by the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and of officers and men to create a nation and its armed forces.
On 3 June 1947, the British Government announced the plan for the partition of the sub-continent between India and Pakistan, and for the transfer of power to the two new states on 15 August 1947. On 30 June 1947, the procedure for the division of the armed forces was agreed upon by the Partition Council, chaired by the Viceroy of India Lord Mountbatten and consisting of the top leaders of the Muslim League and the Indian Congress. Field Marshal Auchinleck, then C-in-C India, was appointed Supreme Commander under Mountbatten to ensure smooth division of units, stores and so on. It was announced on 1 July 1947, that both countries would have operational control of their respective armed forces by 15 August 1947.
The Early Years
Under the Partition Council a Joint Defence Council was formed with Viceroy Mountbatten as chairman, under which was an Armed Forces Reconstitution Committee under FM Auchinleck, consisting of representatives of the future Indian and Pakistani armies. Between 1939-195, the strength of the Indian Army grew to a maximum of 2,018,196 personnel. more........
