Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

Society Military and Strategic Issues
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:hmmm:
What do you guys think…?
How will this actually work and will it bring any significant changes?

http://dawn.com/2007/09/14/top13.htm
Punjab’s dominance in army being reduced: ISPR

A planned effort is being made to revise the composition of the Pakistan Army by reducing the dominance of Punjab to a considerable level over a period of four years.

** In 2001, the Punjabis constituted over 71 per cent of the army. The numerical strength was reduced in later years and has been brought down to just over 57 per cent this year. A further three per cent decrease in recruitment from that province is on the cards by 2011.**

The information is part of a booklet titled ‘Information Brief’, published by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate, the official mouthpiece of the Army, released to counter the growing criticism at home and abroad over the composition of the military and the riches it has accumulated over the years, turning it into the country’s biggest corporate giant.

** The booklet has also countered the figures indicating the size of the land being controlled by the army mentioned in Ayesha Siddiqa’s book, ‘Military Inc’.
**
** Within a decade (2001-2011), the composition of Pakhtuns in the army would increase by one per cent to 14.5 per cent.**

** A two per cent increase will be made in the number of Sindhis bringing their total strength to 17 per cent by 2011.
**
** The representation of Balochis, which was nil in 2001, constitutes 3.2 per cent at present. Their composition would be increased to 4 per cent by 2011.**

** Similarly, with their zero per cent presence in the army seven years ago, the people from Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas now constitute 9.11 per cent of the army. However, their number would be curtailed to 9 per cent in 2011.**

** By 2011, it will be ensured that at least one person from the minorities is among hundred personnel of the armed forces. At present they constitute just 0.72 per cent while seven years ago, their presence was just 0.29 per cent in the army.**

CORPORATE ACTIVITIES: The booklet has claimed that a total of 833,268 acres was allotted to the armed forces since independence and not over 2.30 million acres as put by Ayesha Siddiqa in her book.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

Thats good to hear... Army needs to be far mroe balanced.
I question the figures, but I hope they are accurate.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

I just hope this doesn't make the army less effective

Just look at the mass surrenders of troops in NWFP....

Diversity in our army is good for fighting enemies like India

But could be dangerous when they are confronting their own people

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

They should create a mohajir regiment.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

^^ wha Mohajiir ? Karachi battalion/ brigade or cavalry will do Me !

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

If Balochis are 3.57% of the population, why over-represent them in the army? That would imply some other group will be forced to be under-represented?

The ethnic diversity goals should be based on matching the population at large.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

I thought you said Mohajirs resented joining the Army, for fear of become part of the system?!?!

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

He seems to be a confused guy.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

yeah MQM folks are trained much better than even the current military in urban warfare. the know how to use weapons and explosives, can carry out intel ops, assassinations, are trained as snipers and all. so not much training effort required either.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

When did I say this? It's chaudry culture that has turned the army into this feudal setup. More mohajirs in the army can hopefully reverse some of this. And no, not just Musharraf type "mohajirs".

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

desperate times need desperate measures :)

the 'real professional' army is being blown to tatters - so why not try an alternative.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

That would not be enough. Ethnic diversity at all levels of army hierachy should be introduced. Moreover, recruitment should be based on ethno-linguistic affiliation instead of the present practice of regional affiliation. In the present practice, a Punjabi recruited from Queta or interior Sindh is assigned to Baluchi and Sindhi quota, which is wrong.

Despite these measures, the army would for a long time be dominated by Punjabis because of the their past over-induction.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

Spectacular news - all credit to General Musharraf. :k:

Now Balochi’s, Sindhi’s and Pakhtuns are at least represented as per the actual numbers, if not a little overrepresented. Especially impressive is the induction of so many Balochi’s into the army.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

Yes. All should be equal in Pakistan.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

They had the gangsters become sheriffs in the good 'ole West [US] in the 18th and 19th century.. :faizy:

Btw, isn’t that the “thinking” that sindhis are lazy and “kur maghz” hence not fit for “combat”. I know sindhudesh opened some eyes for setting up cantonments in sindh but 17% of 500,000 is 85,000 people which is a lot and 20,000 balochis. I know kalpars etc are “allied” with the govt but will that many balochis follow? Or will we have punjabis, pathans in sindh and balochistan filling up the quota?

The composition of army should really not matter in a normal scenario unless the army wants to rule indefinitely, even outliving musharraf..

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

today out of 9 , 5 core commanders are mohajir , how many do you want more ? 9 out of 9

Guess The Above Person's Age
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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

meher, which ones, I'd like to know the names and their corps?

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

Sa1eem, I wonder if the lack of representation from these areas was deliberate or by chance over the years? If really deliberate, why? Plus as far as Kashmiri representation is concerned, i think as compared to Sindhis and Balochis there has been a reasonable no. of Kasmiris atleast not nil, esp atleast at troop level...even before 2001 as mentioned...I wonder...

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

Haris Zubairi, there has been a stiff resistance by the Punjabis to the induction of other nationalities in army especially in the officer cadres. Many scholars have mentioned this, including Stephen P. Cohen. That is why before the liberation of Bangla Desh in 1971, whenever Banglis demanded proportionate representation in Army, they were told that East Pakistan would be defended through West Pakistan implying that West Pakistan would be the center of Pakistan's military power.

Kashmiris were probably inducted in army because of Kashmir issue. Moreover, ethnoculturally they are considered to be closer to Punjabis.

Anyhow, one cannot rely on what ISPR says. I don't think composition of army would change in any significant way for forseeble future until Punjabis are dislodged from power.

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Re: Punjab’s dominance in the Army being reduced

Thats very fufilling to see one nation "growing" into 5