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Pakistan Army (Urdu: پاک فوج) is the largest branch of the Military of
Pakistan, and is responsible for protection of the state borders, the security
of administered territories and defending the national interests of Pakistan
within the framework of its international obligations. They must be able to
achieve these goals both in nuclear war and conventional warfare.
The Pakistani Army is a well-trained and well-equipped military service and
combined with the Navy and Air Force makes Pakistan's armed forces, the 8th
largest military in the world.
The Army is modelled on the United Kingdom armed forces and came into existence
after the independence in 1947. It has an active force of 550,000 personnel and
Pakistan also has 513,000 men in reserve and they continue to serve until the
age of 45.
The Pakistani Army is a complete volunteer force and has been involved in many
conflicts with its neighbour to the East. Combined with this rich combat
experience, the Army is also actively involved in contributing to United Nations
peacekeeping efforts. Other foreign deployments have consisted of Pakistani Army
personnel as advisors in many African, South Asian and Arab countries. In the
latter case, Pakistani Army has maintained Division and brigade strength
presence in some of the Arab countries during the past Arab-Israeli Wars, and
the first Gulf War to help the Coalition.
The Pakistani Army is led by the Chief of Army Staff, who currently is Pervez
Musharraf, who is also the President of Pakistan.
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