# Chief of Staff (Pakistan Army)

The Chief of Staff (COS) of the Pakistan Army, not to be confused with the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), was a senior military position that existed from 1947 to 1971 , responsible for assisting the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Pakistan Army in operational, administrative, and organizational matters. The COS was essentially the second-in-command of the army during this period. This position was abolished in 1971 as part of a structural reorganization of the Pakistan Army.

## History

The position of Chief of Staff was established in 1947, after the Independence of Pakistan, to manage the administrative and operational duties of the newly formed Pakistan Army.
The role of the COS was to serve as the principal staff officer to the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C), ensuring the smooth functioning of military operations, planning, logistics, and strategic decision-making.
During the early years of Pakistan, the army's leadership was shaped by British-trained officers. The first few individuals to serve as Chief of Staff were instrumental in establishing the army's organizational structure, as well as coordinating operations during significant events such as the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948 and later conflicts.
The position of Chief of Staff was abolished in 1971 after the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, and its responsibilities were redistributed among senior officers within General Headquarters (GHQ).
The structural reorganization aimed to streamline the command hierarchy, with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) emerging as the sole head of the army in 1972 replacing the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C).

## List of former Chief of Staffs

| No. | Chief of Army Staff | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Unit of Commission |
| 01 | Ahmed, NazirMajor-General Nazir Ahmed (1898–1971) | 15 August 1947 | 16 January 1951 | 3 years, 154 days | 16 Punjab |
| 02 | Raza, MianMajor-General Mian Raza (1904–1984) | 16 January 1951 | 1 October 1957 | 6 years, 258 days | 10 Baluch |
| 03 | Ali Khan, SherMajor-General Sher Ali Khan (1913–2002) | 1 October 1957 | 20 September 1966 | 8 years, 354 days | 1 Punjab |
| 04 | Rana, BakhtiarLt. General Bakhtiar Rana (1910–1996) | 20 September 1966 | 25 March 1969 | 2 years, 186 days | 4 Punjab |
| 05 | Hamid Khan, AbdulLt-General Hamid Khan (1917–1984) | 25 March 1969 | 20 December 1971 | 2 years, 270 days | 16 Punjab |

## Abolition of the Position

In 1971, following the Bangladesh Liberation War and the subsequent restructuring of the Pakistan Army, the position of Chief of Staff was discontinued. This move was part of a broader effort to centralize authority under the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who became the sole head of the Pakistan Army in 1972. The responsibilities of the COS were distributed among various departments and senior staff officers within the General Headquarters (GHQ).

## Legacy

The role of the Chief of Staff played a significant part in the development of the Pakistan Army's early command structure. The position bridged the gap between strategic planning and operational execution, ensuring smooth coordination within the military. While the position no longer exists, its impact on the army's organizational evolution remains notable in Pakistan's military history.