Re: Composition of Pakistan army
Representation disparities in the armed forces are not new. East Pakistan had listed this as an important factor in its charge-sheet against its western partner. Infantrymen of Pakistan Army were all from the West Pakistan. While 5 of 8 battalions were raised in the eastern part of the country, the influence of East Pakistani section and their input in the defence policy of the country was almost nonexistent. Defence budget and allocations of foreign military aid, main offices of the armed forces being in the West Pakistan, remuneration differences and hiring of support staff policy, all went against the West Pakistan. Bengalis also deeply hated the so-called “martial races” theory. And as a matter of fact, this philosophy does not hold much ground.
Till 1956 or 1958, the highest rank a Bengali had in the Pak army was of a brigadier and their representation in almost 900 officers was below 20. Navy and Air Force also had a tiny representation of Bengali men. At the end, it all went against the country.
Situation in Balochistan is comparatively better. We have seen perhaps the most ambitious recruitment drive in Balochistan under Kiyani. I think the trend should continue so that we can see adequate representation of Balochi men in the officer class of the armed forces. That’s very important.