History

Before 1947, most military officers of the newly formed Pakistan Armed Forces had served in the British Indian Army and fought in both World Wars and the numerous Anglo-Afghan Wars. Several experienced commanders who fought in the British military in World War II joined Pakistan Armed Forces giving it professionalism, experience and leadership. After independence, the military was supposed to have been divided between India and Pakistan with a ratio of 64% going to India and 36% for Pakistan; however, it is estimated that Pakistan inherited only about 15% of the equipment.[13]

Post-independence, it has fought three wars against India,[14] several border skirmishes with Afghanistan and against the Soviet Union which occupied Afghanistan in 1979, and an extended border skirmish with India in 1999 (Kargil War) and is currently conducting anti-terrorist operations along the border areas of Afghanistan. Pakistan Armed Forces have participated in several United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The Pakistan Armed Forces have also taken over the Pakistani government several times since independence mainly on the pretext of lack of good civilian leadership, whom most Pakistanis regard as corrupt and inefficient.[15] However, according to the political parties removed from power by the army, political instability, lawlessness and corruption are direct consequences of army rule.[16][17]