Pakistan Military Academy

Not to be confused with Officers Training School.

Pakistan Military Academy
پاکستان عسکری درسگاہ
Motto
نَصْرٌ مِّن اللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ (Quran, 61:13)
Motto in English
"A triumph from God and a victory that is close at hand"
TypeMilitary academy
Established25 November 1947 (1947-11-25)[1]
Affiliation Pakistan Army
CommandantMaj Gen Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhary
Academic staff
3,000–4,000 (both civilian and military)
Location
Kakul, Abbottabad
,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
,
Pakistan
Colours   Green and red
Websitepakistanarmedforces.com/pakistan-military-academy/

The Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) is a military training institution for cadets seeking a commission in the Pakistan Army.[2] Located in Kakul, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, it was established in November 1947.[3] the academy is accredited by the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).[4]

The academy also includes cadets commissioning in other nations' armed forces in some of their training, with cadets and officers from 34 other countries participating historically.[5]

History

After the partition of British India in 1947, the British Indian Army was divided between the newly created states of India and Pakistan. Brigadier Francis Ingall, an officer of the former British Indian Army, was selected by Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, to serve as the first commandant of the Pakistan Military Academy.[6]

A vacant site at Kakul was chosen for the academy. The site had previously housed the British Indian Army's Physical Training and Mountaineering School, which had also served as an operational facility for the Royal Indian Army Service Corps. The school had been established in a former POW camp used during the Boer War in 1902.[7]

Ingall structured the PMA based on the model of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and requested a regimental sergeant major from the Brigade of Guards to assist with training. He received support from several former British Indian Army officers who had transferred to the Pakistan Army, including Lieutenant-Colonel Attiqur Rahman and Major S.G. Mehdi, MC, the first PMA adjutant and founder of Qasim Company, who later commanded the Special Service Group (SSG) of the Pakistan Army.

When the dispute over the accession of Jammu and Kashmir led to armed conflict between India and Pakistan in late 1947, Ingall adapted the Academy's training to the conditions faced by the Pakistan Army to prepare new officers for a largely mountainous and open terrain and to create a new officer class for Pakistan. Afterwards, Ingall was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) after completing his term as commandant in 1950. He was later honoured with a namesake lecture theatre at Kakul, Ingall Hall, constructed after his departure.[8] He kept in touch with the academy for the rest of his life with various visits. During his final visit in November 1997, he said:

"I have given many addresses from this position here, and from 1948 to 1951, I was very keen on the question of Pakistan and believed in it. I believed what the Quaid-e-Azam preached. I believe in Islam."[9]

A total of 67 cadets arrived from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on 15 October 1947. New cadets for the 1st PMA Long Course (78) and the 1st Graduates Course (63) were selected in Pakistan, and training officially began in January 1948 with 208 cadets. On 25 January 1948, the First Pakistan Battalion was established. Its four companies were named after prominent figures in Muslim military history: Khalid, Tariq, Qasim, and Salahuddin. In March 1948, the First Battalion received the patronage of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who became its Colonel-in-Chief, and the battalion was subsequently designated "The Quaid-e-Azam's Own".

Khawaja Nazimuddin gave the Quaid-e-Azam banner to the Pakistan Military Academy on behalf of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The champion company hoists the Quaid-e-Azam banner at each passing-out parade. Regimental colours were presented to the Academy in 1950 by Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the National Standard was presented in 1961 by General Muhammad Musa, then Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army.[10]

The 1965 war with India led to the expansion of the Academy, with the establishment of the second battalion at the Academy in December 1965. This battalion consisted of four companies, called Ghaznavi, Babur, Aurangzeb, and Tipu. In early 1989, the third battalion of the Academy was founded. The third battalion's four companies are Haider, Ubaida, Saad, and Hamza.

Former COAS General Raheel Sharif inaugurated the 4th Pakistan Battalion at PMA on 10 October 2016.[11]

Entry process

Cadet selection is conducted by the Inter-Services Selection Board (ISSB) through assessment centers across Pakistan. Applicants must pass medical, fitness, and aptitude evaluations to be eligible for admission.[8]

Physical requirements

Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) are required to pass various physical fitness tests, the standards for which increase each term. The basic requirement for cadets of the first term is to be able to complete a one-mile run (1.6 kilometers) in six minutes and thirty seconds. In the second term, cadets are required to complete a one-mile run in six minutes and fifteen seconds. For the third term, the one-mile run time is six minutes, and most fourth-term cadets are required to complete a one-mile run within six minutes. Other tests include push-ups,[12] sit-ups,[13] chin-ups,[14] rope test, a five-mile (8 km) run,[15] an assault course, and an exercise known as the "acid test". These tests evaluate the stamina and strength of a cadet.[16]

In the "acid test", cadets begin by traversing a mountain while carrying logs on their shoulders. This is followed by a 14.5 km run in full gear to an obstacle course. Those completing the course are given five rounds with which to hit a target at a distance of 22 m.[17]

LCs (Lady Cadets) are also required to pass physical efficiency tests, similar to those of GCs, but the standards are slightly lower, considering their physique. The basic requirement for all LCs is to run one mile (1.6 km) in 10 minutes or less. Other tests include push-ups, sit-ups, bar hanging, assault course, and an exercise of Qiyadat with GCs.

There are several training exercises for cadets, which include:

  • First term: Kick Off, Saluting Tests, Cross Country, Sang-e-Bunyad, Yarmuk, Path Finder, and the GCs are required to spend three minutes in the Boxing Ring with another opponent following a lengthy training period.
  • Second term: T.M. Raiders, Panipat, and Assault Course are also added as a part of the PT tests: Qiyadat and the Acid Test.

Battalions and companies

For training, the Gentlemen Cadets are organized in battalions and then further into companies. The Pakistan Military Academy has 16 companies, named after Arab warriors and commanders. The companies under the 4th Battalion are named after four out of the eleven recipients of the Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military award of Pakistan.

List of companies
1st Battalion (Quaid-i-Azam's own) 2nd Battalion (Quaid-i-Azam's own) 3rd Battalion (Quaid-i-Azam's own) 4th Battalion (Quaid-i-Azam's own)
Khalid Ghaznavi Haider Aziz
Tariq Babar Ubaida Shabbir
Qasim Aurangzeb Saad Akram
Salahuddin Tipu Hamza Sher

Courses

There are five types of courses (or curricular plans) that run parallel to each other. The types of courses are: the PMA Long Course, the Technical Cadet Course, the Integrated Course, and the PMA Lady Cadet's Course.

PMA Long Course

The PMA Long Course is for regular commissioned officers of combat and combat support arms & services. The Long Course has a duration of two years, which is divided into four terms of six months each. After the 2-year training period, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants.

Technical Cadet Course (TCC)

Candidates who wish to join the army as an engineer apply for this course. Candidates are required to have completed 12 years of academic education, including courses in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Candidates who are successful in all tests conducted for selection are then sent to a NUST institution for a Bachelor of Engineering degree, depending on the field they choose:

Degree Institution
B.E Civil Engineering Military College of Engineering
B.E Electrical Engineering College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
B.E Mechanical Engineering College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
B.E Mechatronics Engineering College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
B.E Computer Engineering College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
B.E Electrical Engineering (Telecom) Military College of Signals
B.E Security Engineering Military College of Signals
B.E Aeronautical Engineering College of Aeronautical Engineering
B.E Software Engineering Military College of Signals

After completing their Bachelor of Engineering degree, the E-Cadets are sent to Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, for one year of military training, after which they are commissioned as captains in their respective units.[18]

Integrated Course (IC)

To be eligible for this course, a candidate must have attained 16–18 years of academic education with coursework in physics, chemistry, and biology. Candidates who pass the initial and GHQ Selection Board tests conducted by the army are sent to the Army Medical College for MBBS or for Bachelor of Dental Surgery, after which they undergo basic military training at the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, for 22 weeks. Apart from GCs of AM College, IC accepts cadets who are willing to join EME, Signals, RVFC, and Army Education Corps with a minimum master's degree in several fields. The IC has a duration of six months. Cadets graduate as captains.

PMA Lady Cadet's Course (LCC)

The Lady Cadets' Course was introduced in November 2006[19] and is designed for FA-qualified women who are professionals in their respective fields. The cadets undergo a training period of six months to become Captains in the supporting arms of the Pakistan Army.

List of commandants

S.N Name Start of tenure End of tenure Ref.
1 Brig F.H.B Ingall, DSO 4 November 1947 31 December 1950
2 Brig. G.H Tarvar, DSO 7 June 1951 20 February 1953
3 Brig. G. Pigot, MC 21 February 1953 18 November 1955
4 Brig J. H Souter, MC 19 November 1955 7 April 1957
5 Maj Gen Shoukat Ali Shah 8 April 1957 2 May 1959
6 Brig Fazal Muqeem Khan, SQA 3 May 1959 17 October 1959
7 Brig Mohammad Rafi 18 October 1959 29 February 1964
8 Brig Sultan Mohammad 30 March 1964 14 November 1966
9 Brig Abubakar Osman Mitha 15 November 1966 23 November 1968
10 Maj Gen Syed Abid Ali 6 February 1969 1 December 1969
11 Maj Gen Ijaz Ahmed, SK 2 December 1969 29 April 1970
12 Maj Gen Riaz Azim, TPk 30 April 1970 10 February 1972
13 Brig (Later Major General) Abdullah Saeed 11 February 1972 20 November 1974
14 Brig Zamir Ahmed Khan 21 November 1974 4 June 1976
15 Brig (Later Lieutenant General) Ahmad Kamal Khan 5 June 1976 15 February 1978
16 Brig (Later Lieutenant General) Imranuallah Khan 16 February 1978 11 July 1982
17 Maj Gen Rahat Latif 17 July 1982 4 October 1985
18 Maj Gen (Later General & Chief of Army Staff) Asif Nawaz 5 October 1985 14 May 1988
19 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Ghulam Muhammad Malik 15 May 1988 2 July 1990
20 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Lehrasab Khan, SJ 3 July 1990 17 April 1992
21 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Muhammad Maqbool 18 April 1992 1 July 1993
22 Maj Gen Malik Saleem Khan 19 July 1993 22 August 1995
23 Maj Gen Rizwan Qureshi 23 August 1995 22 April 1997
24 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Jamshed Gulzar 23 April 1997 22 November 1998
25 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Imtiaz Shaheen 3 December 1998 3 March 2000
26 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Shahid Hamid 3 March 2000 4 November 2001
27 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Hamid Rabnawaz 5 November 2001 14 October 2004
28 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Ahsan Azhar Hayat 1 November 2004 30 April 2006 [20]
29 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Nadeem Taj 1 May 2006 3 October 2007 [21]
30 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Zahid Hussain Khan 4 October 2007 12 October 2008 [22]
31 Maj Gen (Later General & Chief of Army Staff) Raheel Sharif 13 October 2008 14 October 2010 [23]
32 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Mazhar Jamil 15 October 2010 15 May 2012 [24]
33 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Sadiq Ali 16 May 2012 29 July 2013 [25]
34 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Nazir Ahmed Butt 30 July 2013 28 October 2014 [26]
35 Maj Gen (later General & Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee) Nadeem Raza 29 October 2014 10 December 2016 [27]
35 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Abdullah Dogar 15 December 2016 Oct 2017 [28]
36 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Akhtar Nawaz Oct 2017 25 November 2019 [29]
37 Maj Gen (Later Lieutenant General) Muhammad Ali 25 November 2019 25 November 2020 [30]
38 Maj Gen (Now Lieutenant General) Omer Ahmed Bokhari 25 November 2020 Dec 2022
39 Maj Gen Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhary Jan 2023 present [31]

Notable alumni

Pakistani

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Chief of Army Staff

Others

Alumni who defected to Bangladesh

Several officers trained at the PMA would join Bangladesh during the Bangladesh Liberation War or afterwards.

International alumni

  • The main gate of the Pakistan Military Academy from a close distance
  • Pakistan Military Academy Entrance Gate from a longer distance
  • Classroom
  • Language Lab
  • Football Ground
  • Swimming Pool
  • Polo Ground
  • Archery

Media

  • "PMA Passing Out Parade 29 April 2023". 29 April 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023 – via YouTube.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Partition of the IMA (Indian Military Academy)". The Tribune – India newspaper. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  2. ^ "At Pakistan Military Academy, cadets transform into officers with discipline, purpose, love of country". Arab News. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Client Challenge". www.scribd.com. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) | Kakul, Pakistan". militaryschooldirectory.com. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) | Kakul, Pakistan". militaryschooldirectory.com. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  6. ^ Pimsleur, J. L. (25 September 1998). "Francis Ingall". SFGATE. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  7. ^ Parret, C. (2011) 'Boer Prisoners in Abbottabad', in Journal of Military Historical Society UK, No 1, Spring issue, pp.3–4; and also History of the 5th Gorkha Rifles, 1858–1928 UK, 1929, p.16
  8. ^ a b "History of Brigadier Ingall". Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Ingall's speech at 1:35 min". Pakistan Army. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Pakistan Military Academy – Cadets Training". Pakistanarmy.gov.pk. 25 January 1948. Archived from the original on 7 May 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  11. ^ "COAS inaugurates 4th Pakistan Battalion in PMA". Times of Islamabad. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  12. ^ "PMA Long Course - Apply Online & Eligibility Criteria". Pakistan Army. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "PMA Long Course - Apply Online & Eligibility Criteria". Pakistan Army. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "PMA Long Course - Apply Online & Eligibility Criteria". Pakistan Army. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "PMA Long Course - Apply Online & Eligibility Criteria". Pakistan Army. 12 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ Ahmad, Maria. "Facilities for cadets during the training in Pakistan military Academy.docx". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. ^ Anthony Spaeth (22 July 2002). "Dangerous Ground (Pakistan Military Academy)". Time. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Join Pak Army PMA Long Course 157 - 2025 | Apply Online". PAKISTAN FORCES. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  19. ^ "PMA receives first batch of women cadets". DAWN.COM. 12 November 2006. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
  20. ^ "National security strategy being pursued: Shaukat". Business Recorder. 16 April 2006. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Convocation of 115th PMA long course held". Dawn. Pakistan. 8 April 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  22. ^ "KARACHI: Mausoleum centre of Quaid's birth anniversary celebrations". Dawn. Pakistan. 26 December 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  23. ^ "General Raheel Sharif officially assumes army command". The Express Tribune. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  24. ^ "Inside the Pakistan Army: Moves on the Chessboard". South Asian Voices. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  25. ^ Agencies (25 December 2012). "Ceremony at the Quaid's mausoleum". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  26. ^ Khan, Iftikhar A. (30 September 2018). "ISI chief among five generals retiring". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Lt Gen Nadeem Raza appointed CJCSC". Dunya News. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  28. ^ "Passing out parade held at PMA Kakul". geo.tv. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  29. ^ "Pakistan Military Academy Kakul cadets take guard duty at Quaid's mausoleum". The News International. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  30. ^ "145th birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam celebrated". The News International. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  31. ^ "Passing-out parade of 145th PMA Long Course held at Kakul". The News International. Retrieved 4 May 2022.


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