The Command and Staff College (Urdu: اادارہَِ سالاری و عمال عسکری) is the military staff college for the Pakistan Army and its sister services officers, and the international military officers. Established in 1905 as Army Staff College in Deolali, it was later shifted to its present location in 1907 and has been an alma mater of many renowned international soldiers. Foundation of the staff college was felt when the former British Indian Army officers had to commit to a lengthy travel to the Great Britain to continue their graduate studies at the Staff College in Camberley but staff college was insufficient to provide accommodation due to increased enrollment. With the reorganization of the British Indian Army, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, then-Commander-in-Chief in India, exacerbated and proposed a similar staff college to be set-up in India which created more staff appointments. The Command and Staff College is the oldest and senior service college including the Navy's Naval War College and the Air Force's Air War College. In addition, the Pakistan's Ministry of Defense operates the Armed Forces War College at the National Defence University (NDU).

History and Location

Before the foundation and establishment of the Command and Staff College (CSC) in 1905, the former British Indian Army officers had to travel to Great Britain to continue their post-graduate studies on defense studies at the Staff College in Camberley, England. With the increased enrollment and active recruitment from the Indian Military Academy, the Staff College in Camberley was unable to provide accommodations for the needs for the army officers from British Army and the Indian Army altogether. This problem was exacerbated by and stressed when the reorganization of the former British Indian Army was carried out under Field Marshal Lord Herbert Kitchener, then-Commander-in-Chief of British Indian military in India, who created more staff appointments to manage the infrastructure of the British Indian Army. Lord Kitchener successfully submitted a proposal to set-up the college with similar curriculum to Camberley in India. Initially, the India Command and Staff College was based in the "Musketeer School" in Deolali, a small hill station in Bombay Presidency, which is now Maharashtra, in 1905. The British Army in India moved the Command and Staff College to Kuetta, Baluchistan when the new campus buildings, academic centers, and dormitories were erected and built in 1907. After the British partition of India, the British Army staff who did not want to stay in Pakistan moved to Wellington Cantonment in India to formed the Defence Services Staff College for the newly formed Indian Army. At present, the Command and Staff College is located in Quetta Cantonment in Balochistan and it is staff college 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 m. Lower than the Murdarghar and closer to the Command and 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.

Motto and emblem

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, Iqra, over the swords. Iqra literally means "Read!", but it is a reference to the 96th surah of the Qur'an.

Organisation

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.

Objectives

At the end of the year, the graduate should:

Academic and Selection criteria

The Command and Staff College is a post-graduate military staff college where predominantly army officers are given admission. However, the admission to the Command and Staff College is not restricted but the admissions have been allowed and given to the navy and air force officers. Interagency federal officials concerned with national security issues are also given admission to the Command and Staff College. The Pakistani military officers who attend the course must meet the following requirements:

Notable alumni

Field Marshals Generals

The Citadel

The Citadel is a publication of the Command and Staff College, Quetta. 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).

Clubs

Associated clubs include: Shikar (Shooting) Club There is good shooting club within motoring distance of the college. Shikar trips are occasionally organized by the club. Saddle Club The 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. Polo Polo is played with enthusiasm, even if sometimes without matching skills, and the season extends from April to November. Al-Nisa Club The 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 Cell This 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.

Barki Park

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.

Campus

Libraries The 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. Museum The 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 Mess The 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. Children's Schooling The 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.

List of Commandants

Notable instructors