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Command and Staff College

The Command and Staff College was established in 1907 at Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. The Command and Staff College is the oldest and the most prestigious institution of the Pakistan Army. It was established in 1905 in Deolali and moved to its present location at Quetta in 1907 by Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief, India.

The Command and Staff College has been the alma mater of many renowned soldiers from countries all around the world. Some of the distinguished personalities include Field Marshals Wavell, Montgomery, Auchinleck and Slim (United Kingdom), Blamey (Australia), Ayub Khan (Pakistan) and Manekshaw (India). Generals such as Muhammad Musa Khan, Yahya Khan, Gul Hassan Khan, Tikka Khan, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Mirza Aslam Beg, Asif Nawaz, Abdul Wahid Kakar and Pervez Musharraf who all, later , became Pakistan Army's Chiefs, are graduates of the College. Another very distinguished graduate of the college is Major General Ziaur Rahman , former President and Chief Martial Law Administrator of Bangladesh , and Colonel Khaled Mosharraf , a famous Muktijoddha.

Location

The Command and Staff College is located at Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan, at the entrance to the picturesque Urak Valley. To the north, south-east and south-west stand the lonely sentinels of 'Takatu' 'Murdarghar' and 'Chiltan', rising to heights of 930 metres (10,000 ft) to 1020 metres (11,000 ft). Stark, bare and ostensibly inhospitable citadels of sheer rock structure, but enchanting, in a strange way, to the primeval memory of mankind. Lower than the 'Murdarghar' and closer to the Staff College, the Sleeping Beauty displays her charms, undiminished by the ravages of that dreaded hangman, "Time". This hill feature 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.

Motto

PIR SHO BIYAMOOZ - SAADI

A scroll runs through the swords on which are inscribed the Persian words PIR SHO BIYAMOOZ - SAADI. Its literal translation is ''Grow old by learning, Saadi"(famous Persian poet). When paraphrased, it means, "Go on learning and acquiring knowledge until you are old".

Organization

The College is headed by a commandant who is a general officer, and is organised into two wings, namely, the Headquarters Wing and the Instructional Wing. The Instructional Wing, headed by a Chief Instructor, is in fact the mainstay of the college. The Senior Instructor Training of the rank of Brigadier or Colonel is responsible for curricular management and programming of all related activities. 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 each being managed by a Directing Staff.

The Instructional Wing has three instructional divisions each under a Senior Instructor of the rank of Colonel. The Headquarters Wing provides administrative support to the Instructional Wing.

The Emblem

Since the Staff College is concerned with inculcating professional wisdom in the students, the 'OWL' was considered, at the time of its inception, to be the most appropriate symbol for the College. The emblem of the College perched on crossed swords. The 'OWL', symbol of learning and wisdom, and the swords, the Greek god of War, combined, thus, depict the character of this institution - the seat of military knowledge and wisdom.

The same emblem was retained till 1950 when the Latin motto 'By the Pen as much as by the Sword' was replaced by the Persian Couplet, "Pir sho, beyamoz, Saadi". This is a quotation from Saadi the famous Persian poet and thinker.

In 1956 as Pakistan became a Republic the crown was removed.

The symbol 'OWL' for 74 years, was replaced by "IQRA", which symbolises the first word of command of Allah to Prophet Muhammad "IQRA BE ISME RABBEK ALLAZI KHALAQ" (Read in the name of thy Lord who createth). It implies constant quest for multi-dimensional knowledge, application and effort. This centre piece stands emblazoned on a gold and silver base which symbolizes molten earth in a perpetual state of evolutionary flux. Molten earth has been shown golden in the centre and light silvery at the circumference since a person of genuine scholarship and enlightenment ought to glow and serve as a beacon for others. The cross swords of the emblem are the traditional symbol of the Pakistan Army.

Objectives

The Command and Staff College prepares its students not only to handle and employ their outfits confidently, but more importantly, provides them a broad outlook and intellectual depth to deal efficiently with more complex modes and methods of warfare under challenging leadership environment. At the end of the year, our graduate should:

Possess a deep insight into the employment of forces in tactical operations under prevailing battlefield environment.

Be able to confidently and imaginatively handle all operational and administrative staff functions and prepare his outfit to cohesively perform its challenging peace and war time roles.

Be able to discern the place of tactical plans within the ambit of operational strategy and joint services warfare.

Be able to thoughtfully apply modern leadership and management skills within our socio-religious setting.

Cultivate interest in broadening his vision, professional base and outlook and be able to research wide ranging issues of professional import.

Be able to comprehend the intricacies of international and regional political order, and its compulsions and implications.

Develop the acumen to identify the central issue of military and general problems and present clear and innovative options for their resolution.

Selection Criteria

The Pakistani student officers who attend the Course must meet the following prerequisites and qualifications:-

Rank/Service: Captains/Majors with 8-12 years service.
Courses: Respective arm/service Mid Career Course and Promotion Examinations.
Selection Criteria: Based on merit list of a competitive examination, service record and professional standing.
Civil: Preferably Bachelor of Arts/Science to qualify for the award of Bachelor of Science (Honours) War Studies degree from the University of Balochistan.