Leaving patriotism aside, in the light of the current state of affairs in Pakistan, what would be your advice to someone who wants to serve in the Pak army?
I’m not too keen on the idea perhaps because I feel let down by the army.
Your thoughts?
Re: Joining Pak Army
Leaving patriotism aside, in the light of the current state of affairs in Pakistan, what would be your advice to someone who wants to serve in the Pak army?
I'm not too keen on the idea perhaps because I feel let down by the army.
Your thoughts?
Lifestyle is fantastic if you are an officer. Its like living in a different country. Good residential facilities, not much work related stress, organized life, plenty of opportunities for leisure and sports activities, good schooling for kids, subsidies on transport, schooling, utilities, guest houses around country etc. Great prospects of landing a nice job post-retirement.
Re: Joining Pak Army
Leaving patriotism aside, in the light of the current state of affairs in Pakistan, what would be your advice to someone who wants to serve in the Pak army?
I'm not too keen on the idea perhaps because I feel let down by the army.
Your thoughts?
PA is the biggest employer and social welfare organization in Pakistan. Most of the people join army just for sake of employment.
Re: Joining Pak Army
Never thought of joining the army even in the peaceful of times. It depends upon the person, if he is educated and can get a better employment he shouldn't join. If he doesnt have any skills and difficult to get a job elsewhere then he should. Besides the people historically join Pakistan Army from a certain belt of Punjab and KP, and now the army is diversifying - a good move.
Re: Joining Pak Army
hmmm I don't know... I wouldn't want to be working for an organization that is lead by corrupt generals...
Re: Joining Pak Army
The army should employ more people from rural Sindh, seraiki areas, Balochistan, FATA, Gilgit etc...Not only it will help diversify the army, but also provide the people from those areas a reasonable salary.
Re: Joining Pak Army
hmmm I don't know... I wouldn't want to be working for an organization that is lead by corrupt generals...
That is only part of the story. Most corruption by our military is legalized, grabbing national land and distributing it to their officers is an example. But then, your question was 'leaving patriotism aside'. BTW, the generals are promoted from within the army. They are not appointed from outside and therefore if you claim the generals are corrupt, then most of the officers (who aspire to become generals) should be so categorized.
What if I tell you the MS of most of the hospitals in Pakistan are very corrupt people. One should not pursue a career in medicine in Pakistan if that is the case?
Re: Joining Pak Army
Good point.
But let's say someone wanted to join the army with the jazba of fighting against the terrorists and then he finds out that the army is actually harbouring terrorists, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of serving the nation? It would be like a cancer specialist working for a cancer hospital whose policy is not to cure the disease.
I know I don't have the full picture, hence this thread. I want to learn more from everyone's views. Perhaps in the bigger scheme of things, the army is actually striving for the betterment of the country, perhaps I'm overlooking a lot of good efforts of the army.
Re: Joining Pak Army
Vast majority of people join the army just as a form of good job.
Yet there are those who have it in the family, like their pyo and daaday, chaachay and maamay are all in army, so they tend to join the army.
I don't know anyone who would join for the 'jazba' part....that comes as secondary motivator , if at all.
I, for instance, wouldn't...simply because i know the army isn't doing what its supposed to...i wouldn't want to die and be counted as a statistic because some douchebag general had cooked up idiotic policy and strategy....
unfortunately, most, if not all deaths of paksitani military men have been caused by the non-sensical policies of the corrupt generals...i wouldn't want to die for such causes.
Re: Joining Pak Army
Hmm, I have a few acquaintances (that's pushing it, I know a few as my cousin knows them) in the army and my understanding was the top guys live like royals while a normal fauji gets peanuts.
I was on Youtube listening to soldiers fighting in Swat, on 6000 Rs amonth. Peanuts!
Good point.
But let's say someone wanted to join the army with the jazba of fighting against the terrorists and then he finds out that the army is actually harbouring terrorists, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of serving the nation? It would be like a cancer specialist working for a cancer hospital whose policy is not to cure the disease.
I know I don't have the full picture, hence this thread. I want to learn more from everyone's views. Perhaps in the bigger scheme of things, the army is actually striving for the betterment of the country, perhaps I'm overlooking a lot of good efforts of the army.
Re: Joining Pak Army
Pakistanimard, that’s exactly where I’m coming from.
Shak, 6000 a month?! 
But the money aspect isn’t a concern for this guy that I know who wants to join the army with a genuine passion for serving the nation. I feel like he’s being too naive about the whole thing but wasn’t too sure of my own perception of the army either so decided to discuss it here.
Re: Joining Pak Army
^ there is a reason 18 year olds are recruited only ;)
Re: Joining Pak Army
Hmm, tbh his thinking may be that maybe he does know what the raw side of the deal is but he feels by doing his own best he can atleast be proud he did serve the nation! Its a policeman in Pak, who may join the force and will probably know the disgusting corruption that is rife in law enforcement but may feel he can atleast serve the nation even if he is one of the few!
Re: Joining Pak Army
If he is so committed he shouldnt join… 
Re: Joining Pak Army
Hmm, tbh his thinking may be that maybe he does know what the raw side of the deal is but he feels by doing his own best he can atleast be proud he did serve the nation! Its a policeman in Pak, who may join the force and will probably know the disgusting corruption that is rife in law enforcement but may feel he can atleast serve the nation even if he is one of the few!
That's exactly why I didn't want to talk him out of it. If he's committed to making a positive contribution to the nation, however small it may be, I shouldn't deter him from that.
Re: Joining Pak Army
^ he should consult some reliable person already serving in the army. use your contacts and try to find such person who knows whats in there..... consulting you, or anyone else isn't really that useful IMO.
Re: Joining Pak Army
Oh he didn't consult me, mujhe free mein tension lene ki aadat hai bus! :D
I'm sure he's doing his own research.
Re: Joining Pak Army
Huma: lol. whole country is lead by corrupt president. should I disown pakistan?
Re: Joining Pak Army
Just a query for GK, what is the salary of Havildar in Pak army?? any idea??
Re: Joining Pak Army
I was on Youtube listening to soldiers fighting in Swat, on 6000 Rs amonth. Peanuts!
The low ranking soldiers in every country's military always get paid much lower than average.
However, they have:
No rental costs - their housing is provided
No utility expenses - their water and electricity consumption is paid in barracks by the army.
No food expenses - the army feeds them
No medical expenses - the army treats them