| Command and Staff College | |
| Motto: | Persian: پیر شو بیاموز سعدی (romanized: Pir Sho Biyamooz Saadi) English: Grow old, learning Saadi Urdu: سیکھتے ہوئے عمر رسیدہ ہو جاؤ، سعدی |
| Established: | (as the Army Staff College in Deolali, British India) |
| Head Label: | Commandant |
| Head: | Maj. Gen. Naseem Anwer |
| Faculty: | 55 approx. |
| Administrative Staff: | 25 approx. |
| Students: | 400 |
| City: | Quetta-87800 |
| Former Names: | Army Staff College |
| Colours: | Grey and Maroon |
The Command and Staff College (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|اادارہَِ سالاری و عمال عسکری) is the Pakistan Army's staff college for mid-career army officers. As the Army Staff College it was initially established in 1905 at Deolali (near Bombay) and later shifted to Quetta in 1907,[1] Baluchistan, British India, now in Pakistan. It has been the alma mater of many renowned soldiers.[2] After the partition of India, those staff not staying in Pakistan moved to Wellington Cantonment and formed the Defence Services Staff College.
Before the establishment of the college, Indian Army officers had to travel to UK to study at the Staff College, Camberley, but the number of places there was insufficient for the needs of the Army. The problem was exacerbated by the reorganisation of the Indian Army under Lord Kitchener, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army in India which created more staff appointments. Kitchener proposed a college similar to Camberley was set up in India and this was accepted. The college was opened in the Musketeer School in Deolali and moved to Quetta when the buildings for it were completed in 1907.[2]
It is the oldest military institution in Pakistan. The college was previously affiliated with the University of Balochistan but is now affiliated with the National Defence University (NDU) along with other staff and war colleges of the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Air Force.
The Command and Staff College is located at Quetta, the provincial capital of Pakistan's Balochistan Province. It is situated at the entrance to the Urak valley. To the north, south-east and south-west stand the Takatu, Murdarghar, and Chiltan mountain ranges, rising to heights of 930–1020 metres (10-11,000 ft). Lower than the Murdarghar and closer to the Staff College, is the mountain known as the "Sleeping Beauty", which takes its name from its uncanny resemblance to a lady in repose. She is at her best when the first winter snow throws her in sharp contrast against the skyline.
A scroll runs through the swords on which are inscribed the Persian words Pir Sho Biyamooz – Saadi. Its literal translation is Grow old learning – Saadi, who was a famous Persian poet. When paraphrased, it means, "Go on learning and acquiring knowledge until you are old." Until 1950 the college used the Latin motto "Tam Marte Quam Minerva" - loosely, "By the pen as much as by the sword". The old emblem included an owl, commonly known as a symbol of learning and wisdom, perched on crossed swords, in several variants. In 1979 the owl was replaced by an epithet more appropriate for an Islamic country, Arabic: [[Iqra]], over the swords. Arabic: Iqra literally means "Read!", but it is a reference to the 96th surah of the Qur'an.[3]
The college is headed by a commandant who is a major general, and is organised into two wings, namely, the Headquarters Wing and the Instructional Wing. The Instructional Wing, headed by a Chief Instructor (a Brigadier), is the mainstay of the college. The Senior Instructor Training (a Colonel) is responsible for curricular management and programming of all related activities, he is assisted General Staff Officer Grade 2, training 1. The faculty of research and doctrinal studies, commonly known as FORADS, is headed by a director of the rank of Colonel or Brigadier with four research sections and one IT and media wing, each being managed by a Directing Staff / Colonel member.
The Instructional Wing has four instructional divisions, each under a Senior Instructor of the rank of Colonel. The Headquarters Wing provides administrative support to the Instructional Wing.
It is a well-reputed seat of learning for warfare and allied staff aspects with a student body of approximately 400 officers, which include nearly 30 officers from over 23 allied nations. The Allied Officers form an important segment of the college community, adding color and giving a cosmopolitan touch to life at the college. There are about 52 members on the faculty at any one time making an instructor to student ratio of about 1:8, which is amongst the highest in the world.[4]
At the end of the year, the graduate should:
The Pakistani officers who attend the course must meet the following requirements:[5]
Field Marshals
Generals
The Citadel is a publication of the Command and Staff College, Quetta.[6] It provides a forum for the expression of thoughts on doctrinal and conceptual issues and other matters of professional import, or those related to national security and interest. It was instituted in 1984, as an exclusively professional magazine, on the directions of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, then President of Pakistan and Chief of the Army Staff. The name denotes both the territorial and ideological moorings. Prior to this, articles of such nature were published (regularly since 1947) in the college year-book, known at various times as Owl Pie (1921), The Owl (1922–78) and The Review (1979–83).
Associated clubs include:[7]
Shikar (Shooting) ClubThere is good shooting club within motoring distance of the college. Shikar trips are occasionally organized by the club.
Saddle ClubThe college has 30 ponies for officers interested in riding. Membership of the club is also open to ladies and children above eight years of age. Interested officers are expected to bring their own riding kit. Traditionally, the club is extensively patronized by the allied officers community.
PoloPolo is played with enthusiasm, even if sometimes without matching skills, and the season extends from April to November.
Al-Nisa ClubThe college traditionally runs a very active ladies club which is known for its colourful and interesting activities. Meetings are normally held once a fortnight.
Allied Officers CellThis cell functions under the Senior Instructor Training and deals with all matters related to guidance and welfare of Allied Officers. A member of the faculty and a Pakistani student officer is assigned to each Allied Officer to make his stay pleasant and comfortable.
A number of outdoor facilities are provided inside the college campus and in the foothills of the mountains. Barki Park not only provides entertainment for children but also a soothing relief for the students and their families, especially with traditional live Rabab music every weekend. The entertainment facilities include a pizza and coffee shop, skating arena, zip line, rock climbing arena, lush green lawns with water oscillators, various shades of all weather roses and a lot more.Uplifting of the park, Project Green, was outsourced to Mr. Saadat Nabi Sherwani and Co. Project Green has been completed with a lot of Horticultural innovations by the designer.
LibrariesThe Command and Staff College has a Main and a Fiction Library. The Fiction Library has a good selection of weekly and monthly magazines in addition to books that offer a variety of light readings. The Main Library houses books, mainly professional in nature. A large number of international newspapers and magazines on professional and general subjects are also available in the Main Library.
MuseumThe college has a small museum, which was inaugurated on 16 May 1979. This Museum houses various items of interest and historical value pertaining to the college.
Officers MessThe Officers Mess is lodged in a building with an interior decor in traditional style. Most of the formal functions are held in the Mess. The Mess premises are also used for hosting private parties in accordance with the Mess Instructions. A snack bar, next to the Mess, functions in the evening. It was reconstructed in 1939.[7]
Children's SchoolingThe college runs an English-medium secondary School and College, the Iqra Army Public School and College, for the benefit of children of the student officers and the faculty.
| Name | tenure | |
|---|---|---|
| Brigadier-general[8] A. W. L. Bayly | Apr 1905 – Mar 1906 | |
| Brig-gen T. Capper[9] | Mar 1906 – Jan 1911 | |
| Brig Gen W. P. Braithwaite | Jan 1911 – Aug 1914[10] | |
| closed during First World War | Aug 1914 – Jun 1919 | |
| Maj Gen Sir L. R. Vaughan | Jun 1919 – Jan 1923 | |
| Maj Gen Sir Gerald F. Boyd | Jan 1923 – Jan 1927 | |
| Maj Gen C. A. C. Goodwin | Jan 1927 – Dec 1927 | |
| Maj Gen E. T. Humphreys | Jan 1928 – Aug 1931 | |
| Maj Gen R. C. Wilson | Sep 1931 – Oct 1934 | |
| Maj Gen G. C. Williams | Oct 1934 - Apr 1937 | |
| Maj Gen A . B. Haig | Apr 1937 - Mar 1940 | |
| Brig A. F. P. Christison | Mar 1940- Feb 1941 | |
| Brig C. A. Osborne | Feb 1941 - Apr 1942 | |
| Brig G .C. Evans | Apr 1942 - Aug 1943 | |
| Brig B. H. Chappel | Aug 1943 - Jun 1944 | |
| Brig H. V. Collingridge | Jun 1944 - Mar 1945 | |
| Maj Gen S. F. Irwin | Mar 1945 - Mar 1947 | |
| Maj Gen H. L. Davies | Apr 1947 - Aug 1947 | |
| Maj Gen S. F. Irwin | Aug 1947 - Feb 1948 | |
| Maj Gen I. C. A. Lauder | Feb 1948 - Mar 1952 | |
| Maj Gen A. Tilly | Apr 1952 - Aug 1954 | |
| Maj Gen M. A. Latif Khan | Aug 1954 - Jul 1957 | |
| Maj Gen M. G. Jilani | Jul 1957 - Dec 1958 | |
| Maj Gen S. A. A. Bilgrami | Dec 1958 - Dec 1962 | |
| Maj Gen Sahabzada Yaqub Khan | Jan 1963 - Sep 1965 | |
| Period without Commandant | Sep 1965 - May 1966 Indo-Pak War | |
| Maj Gen Akhtar Hussain Malik | May 1966 - Jun 1967 | |
| Maj Gen Abrar Hussain | Aug 1967 - Mar 1968 | |
| Maj Gen Muhammad Shariff | May 1968 - Jan 1970 | |
| Maj Gen Azmat Bakhsh Awan | Feb 1970 - Feb 1972 | |
| Maj Gen Riaz Azim | Feb 1972 - Dec 1974 | |
| Maj Gen S. Wajahat Hussain | Jan 197 5 - Jul 1977 | |
| Maj Gen Muhammad Iqbal | Jul 1977 - Sep 1979 | |
| Maj Gen Ahmed Shamim Khan | Sep 1979 - Aug 1982 | |
| Maj Gen Muhammad Safdar | Aug 1982 - Sep 1985 | |
| Maj Gen Rahim Dil Bhatti | Sep 1985 - May 1988 | |
| Maj Gen Amin Khan Berki | May 1988 - May 1990 | |
| Lt Gen Syed Tanwir Husain Naqvi | Jun 1990 - Dec 1991 | |
| Maj Gen Ali Kuli Khan Khattak | Feb 1992 - Jun 1993 | |
| Maj Gen Saeed uz Zafar | Jul 1993 - Dec 1995 | |
| Maj Gen Syed Mohammad Amjad | Dec 1995 - Dec 1998 | |
| Maj Gen Javaid Afzal Khan | Dec 1998 - Nov 1999 | |
| Maj Gen/Lt Gen Tariq Waseem Ghazi | Feb 2000 - May 2001 | |
| Maj Gen Malik Arif Hayat | May 2001 - May 2002 | |
| Maj Gen Mohsin Kamal | May 2002 - April 2005 | |
| Maj Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha | Apr 2005 - Apr 2006 | |
| Maj Gen/Lt Gen Khalid Nawaz Khan | May 2006 - May 2010 | |
| Maj Gen/Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani | May 2010 - Nov 2011 | |
| Maj Gen Sohail Ahmad Khan | Nov 2011 - Jan 2014 | |
| Maj Gen Shahid Baig Mirza | Jan 2014 - May 2015 | |
| Maj Gen/Lt Gen Aamir Abbasi | May 2015 - Dec 2017 | |
| Maj Gen Sarfraz Ali | Jan 2018 - Oct 2018 | |
| Maj Gen / Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum | Nov 2018 - Dec 2020 | |
| Maj Gen Amer Ahsan Nawaz | Dec 2020 - Sep 2023 | |
| Maj Gen Naseem Anwer | Sep 2023 - |