About Pakistan Armed Forces
The Pakistan Armed Forces are the military forces of Pakistan, consisting of three uniformed service branches: Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, and Pakistan Air Force. The armed forces are commanded by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and headed by the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff respectively.
Pakistan Armed Forces are the sixth-largest military force in the world with approximately 654,000 active personnel and 550,000 reserves. The military offers structured career paths with ranks from Second Lieutenant to General, competitive salaries, extensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development.
Pakistan Armed Forces Branches
Pakistan Army
Strength: 550,000+ active
Motto: Iman, Taqwa, Jihad fi Sabilillah
Largest branch defending land borders and maintaining internal security
Pakistan Navy
Strength: 70,000+ personnel
Motto: Unity, Faith, Discipline
Naval warfare force defending maritime borders and sea routes
Pakistan Air Force
Strength: 65,000+ personnel
Motto: Above All
Aerial warfare and defense of Pakistan's airspace
Pakistan Army Officer Ranks
Commissioned Officers
| Rank | Insignia | Pay Scale | Typical Command/Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (4-Star) | 4 Stars + Crossed Sword & Baton | Above BPS-22 | Chief of Army Staff (COAS) |
| Lieutenant General (3-Star) | 3 Stars | Above BPS-22 | Corps Commander, Principal Staff Officer |
| Major General (2-Star) | 2 Stars | BPS-21/22 | Division Commander, DG ISI |
| Brigadier (1-Star) | 1 Star + Crescent | BPS-20/21 | Brigade Commander, Staff Brigadier |
| Colonel | Crown + 2 Stars | BPS-19/20 | Regiment/Battalion Commander, Staff Officer |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Crown + 1 Star | BPS-18/19 | Battalion 2IC, Company Commander |
| Major | Crown | BPS-17/18 | Company Commander, Staff Officer |
| Captain | 3 Stars | BPS-17 | Platoon Commander, Adjutant |
| Lieutenant | 2 Stars | BPS-17 | Platoon Commander |
| Second Lieutenant | 1 Star | BPS-17 | Platoon Commander (Fresh Graduate) |
Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs)
| Rank | Pay Scale | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Subedar Major / Risaldar Major | BPS-14/15 | Senior JCO in unit |
| Subedar / Risaldar | BPS-12/13 | Platoon commander assistant |
| Naib Subedar / Naib Risaldar | BPS-11/12 | Junior JCO |
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) & Soldiers
| Rank | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Havildar Major | BPS-9/10 |
| Havildar / Dafadar | BPS-7/8 |
| Naik / Lance Dafadar | BPS-6/7 |
| Lance Naik | BPS-5/6 |
| Sepoy / Sowar | BPS-5 |
Pakistan Navy Officer Ranks
Commissioned Officers
| Rank | Equivalent Army Rank | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Admiral | General | Above BPS-22 |
| Vice Admiral | Lieutenant General | Above BPS-22 |
| Rear Admiral | Major General | BPS-21/22 |
| Commodore | Brigadier | BPS-20/21 |
| Captain | Colonel | BPS-19/20 |
| Commander | Lieutenant Colonel | BPS-18/19 |
| Lieutenant Commander | Major | BPS-17/18 |
| Lieutenant | Captain | BPS-17 |
| Sub Lieutenant | Lieutenant | BPS-17 |
Pakistan Air Force Officer Ranks
Commissioned Officers
| Rank | Equivalent Army Rank | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Air Chief Marshal | General | Above BPS-22 |
| Air Marshal | Lieutenant General | Above BPS-22 |
| Air Vice Marshal | Major General | BPS-21/22 |
| Air Commodore | Brigadier | BPS-20/21 |
| Group Captain | Colonel | BPS-19/20 |
| Wing Commander | Lieutenant Colonel | BPS-18/19 |
| Squadron Leader | Major | BPS-17/18 |
| Flight Lieutenant | Captain | BPS-17 |
| Flying Officer | Lieutenant | BPS-17 |
| Pilot Officer | Second Lieutenant | BPS-17 |
Military Career Progression
Entry as Officer Cadet
Join Pakistan Military Academy (Army), Pakistan Naval Academy (Navy), or PAF Academy (Air Force) after clearing ISSB.
Second Lieutenant / Equivalent
Commission as Second Lieutenant (Army), Sub Lieutenant (Navy), or Pilot Officer (PAF) after 2 years training.
Captain / Lieutenant (3-5 years)
Promoted to Captain (Army), Lieutenant (Navy), or Flight Lieutenant (PAF) with platoon/flight command.
Major / Squadron Leader (8-10 years)
Company commander level with specialized training courses like Staff Course.
Lieutenant Colonel / Wing Commander (15-18 years)
Battalion/Wing level command. National Defence University course eligibility.
Colonel / Group Captain (20+ years)
Regiment/Group command, staff positions, and strategic planning roles.
Brigadier / Commodore / Air Commodore
Brigade/Naval/Air Base command. Selection-based promotion to General Officer ranks.
General Officers (Star Ranks)
Major General to General / equivalent. Corps commands, strategic positions, and service chief.
Military Salary & Benefits
Pay Structure
- Officers (Commission Entry): Starting BPS-17 (PKR 67,290 - 212,475)
- Military Pay Scale: Special pay scales higher than civil BPS
- Flying Pay: Additional 25-40% for pilots and aircrew
- Technical Pay: Extra allowance for engineers and technical officers
- Command Pay: Additional pay for command positions
- Risk Allowance: For frontline and operational areas
- Hard Area Allowance: 15-25% extra for difficult terrain postings
Accommodation & Housing
- Free residential accommodation in military cantonments/bases
- Furnished houses with utilities (electricity, gas, water)
- Married accommodation for officers with families
- DHA (Defence Housing Authority) plot allotments based on rank
- Post-retirement housing schemes and benefits
Medical & Healthcare
- Free world-class medical treatment at Combined Military Hospitals (CMH)
- Medical coverage for spouse and dependent children
- Specialized treatment facilities in major cities
- Medical reimbursement for treatment at civil hospitals if required
- Post-retirement medical card for lifelong treatment
Education Benefits
- Children education allowance for officers
- Army Public Schools (APS) in all cantonments with subsidized fees
- Scholarships for higher education in Pakistan and abroad
- Cadet colleges for children (Hasan Abdal, Petaro, etc.)
Retirement & Pension
- Pension after retirement (formula based on last drawn pay)
- Gratuity and commutation benefits
- Post-retirement employment opportunities in Fauji Foundation
- Business and entrepreneurship support
- DHA plots and commercial ventures access
Other Benefits
- Subsidized groceries at CSD (Canteen Stores Department)
- Officers' clubs and messes with recreational facilities
- Sports complexes and gyms
- Annual paid leave (30-45 days)
- Travel allowances and LTC (Leave Travel Concession)
- Life insurance and death benefits for family
- Shaheed and disabled soldiers welfare (Fauji Foundation support)
How to Join Pakistan Armed Forces
For Officers (Commission Entry)
1. Through Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) - Long Course
- Qualification: Intermediate (FSc Pre-Medical, Pre-Engineering, ICS, or equivalent) with 60% marks
- Age: 17-23 years
- Process: Initial screening → ISSB (Inter Services Selection Board) Test → Medical Examination
- Training: 2 years at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul
- Commission: Second Lieutenant after graduation
2. Through University Entry / Graduate Course
- Qualification: Bachelor's degree (2nd Division minimum)
- Age: 20-25 years
- Training: Shorter duration course (6 months - 1 year)
3. Technical Cadets (Engineering Branch)
- Qualification: FSc Pre-Engineering with 60% marks
- Training: 5 years (4 years engineering degree + 1 year military training)
- Institutes: Military College of Engineering (MCE), College of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (CEME)
For Pakistan Navy
- Pakistan Naval Academy (Karachi): 4 years training for executive branch officers
- Qualification: Intermediate with 60% marks
- Age: 17-22 years
- Selection: Through ISSB and medical tests
For Pakistan Air Force
- GD Pilot (General Duties Pilot): FSc Pre-Engineering/ICS with 60% marks, Age 16-22
- Aeronautical Engineer: FSc Pre-Engineering with 70% marks, Age 16-22
- Training: PAF Academy Risalpur (2 years) + specialized flying training
- Selection: ISSB + Aviation Medical Board
For Soldiers / Sailors / Airmen (Non-Commission)
- Qualification: Matric to Intermediate based on trade
- Age: 17-23 years
- Process: Physical test + Written test + Medical + Interview
- Recruitment: Through Army Recruiting Centers across Pakistan
Military Training Institutions
Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul
Premier institution for Pakistan Army officer training. 2-year Long Course for FSc candidates.
Pakistan Naval Academy (PNA), Karachi
Training academy for Pakistan Navy officers. 4-year Bachelor of Science degree program.
PAF Academy, Risalpur
Pakistan Air Force officer training. Includes flying training for GD Pilots.
National Defence University (NDU)
Higher military education for senior officers. Strategic studies and war courses.
Command & Staff College, Quetta
Mid-career training for Majors and Lieutenant Colonels. Essential for promotion to Colonel.
National Defence College
Senior leadership course for Colonels and Brigadiers before General Officer promotions.
Military College of Engineering (MCE)
Engineering education for technical branch officers. 4-year BSc Engineering program.
Army Medical College (AMC)
MBBS degree for Army Medical Corps officers. 5-year program in Rawalpindi.
Special Forces & Elite Units
Special Services Group (SSG)
Pakistan Army's elite special forces. Commandos trained for counter-terrorism and special operations. Based in Cherat.
SSG Navy (SSGN)
Naval special forces for underwater and marine operations. Elite frogmen and maritime commandos.
Rangers & Frontier Corps
Paramilitary forces for internal security. Pakistan Rangers (Punjab & Sindh) and Frontier Corps (KP & Balochistan).
Army Aviation
Helicopter and light aircraft operations. Attack helicopters, transport, and reconnaissance missions.