(By: Abdul Basit Alvi)
Inquiries often arise concerning the Pakistani 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; however, these claims lack foundation. While the primary focus of the Pakistan Army is national defense, its commitment to supporting civilian infrastructure is undeniable.
Renowned for its dedication to national security, the Pakistan Army expands its mission to a critical realm – healthcare. Beyond its core responsibility of defense, the Pakistan Army has transformed into a formidable force in providing healthcare services.
With a network of state-of-the-art military hospitals and medical facilities across the country, 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. Whether addressing natural disasters or healthcare emergencies, the Army’s medical teams are often the first on the scene, delivering critical care to affected communities.
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 Pakistan Army is regularly called upon to participate in the desilting and cleaning of barrages, canals, and interconnected waterway arteries across the nation. Through well-planned afforestation initiatives, the Army has effectively transformed extensive wastelands into cultivable areas, simultaneously nurturing the growth of 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 Pakistan Army has played a substantial role. The Army Public Schools & 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 critical issue of approximately 22.8 million out-of-school children aged 5-16 in the country.
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.
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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) program, nine pilot projects have been initiated in Mohmand, Tirah, Hasan Khel, Dara Adam Khel, Karam, Jani Khel, Tank, Sararogha, and Angar Adda. Over four thousand boys and girls have already benefited from the program, with more than 500 girls participating in digital skills courses at four different centers. Additionally, 24 inactive schools have been re-activated, and under the Adult Learning Program, 250 adults are receiving training in various courses. The Composite Youth Program focuses on fostering creativity among youth through step-by-step extracurricular training. The Pakistan Army is committed to making knowledge acquisition accessible to every child through these concerted efforts.
Despite being tasked with responsibilities extending beyond its traditional role, the Pakistan 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 (FWO) stands as a military engineering entity, positioned as a significant science and technology command within the Pakistan 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 (NLC), established in 1978, became a vital entity for the swift movement of imported wheat from Karachi. Primarily composed of manpower from the Pakistan Army, the NLC operates under the Ministry of Planning and Development, collaborating with the Planning Commission of Pakistan. 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 Pakistan 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 (SCO) has been instrumental in preventing the isolation of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan from the rest of the country by providing telephone, telegraph, and satellite communication services. Additionally, the SCO operates with a strategic defense 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 defense-related goods, employing both military and civilian personnel in the manufacturing of armored 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 Pakistan Army consistently ranks among the first responders, delivering immediate relief and support to affected populations following earthquakes, floods, or other calamities. This swift intervention is crucial in minimizing the impact of disasters and safeguarding lives.
A core responsibility of the Pakistan Army in the face of natural calamities 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 most transparent institutions in the country, the Pakistan Army places transparency at the forefront of its governance and accountability principles. Acknowledging the significance of openness and accountability, the army, as a vital component of the national framework, consistently endeavors 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 to ensure accountability at various levels. Military personnel adhere to a strict code of conduct, and any instances of misconduct or ethical breaches undergo thorough investigations. The accountability process is designed to maintain the highest standards of discipline and professionalism within the armed forces.
Financial transparency is a crucial aspect of accountability, and in alignment with broader national initiatives, the Pakistan Army has made strides in budget transparency. Publicly accessible information on defense expenditures and budget allocations contributes to a clearer understanding of resource distribution and spending priorities within the military.
Institutional reforms have been undertaken by the Pakistan 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 Pakistan Army plays a pivotal role in facilitating the smooth conduct of elections and census. Leveraging their extensive resources, they effectively reach every corner of the country. It is crucial to emphasize that the Army is called upon by civilian governments to provide such services, and allegations of self-initiated interference in elections are unfounded.
Readers, the sectors mentioned above offer just a glimpse of the diverse fields where the Pakistan 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—an unwavering commitment acknowledged and appreciated by the nation.
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