Ex Army Chiefs (COAS) Of Pakistan

General Sir Frank Walter Meserwie (1947-1948)

General Sir Frank Walter Meseravi was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, serving in that role from 1947 to 1948. He was a British officer who was appointed to the post soon after the independence of Pakistan in 1947. Role in organizing and training the newly formed Pakistan Army.

Before serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, Meseravi served as a commander in the British Indian Army during World War II. He led the 7th Indian Division in the Burma Campaign and was later appointed commander of the Indian XV Corps. After the war, he played a key role in the transfer of power from the British Raj to India and Pakistan.

Meseravi served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army for just one year before retiring from military service in 1948. He died in 1972 at the age of 81.

General Douglas David Gracie D (1948-1951)

General Douglas David Gracey was the second Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, who served in this position from 1948 to 1951. Independence was achieved in 1947.

Before serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, Gracie served as a commander in the British Indian Army during World War II. He led the 17th Indian Division in the Burma Campaign and was later appointed Commander of the Eastern Army in India.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, Gracie played a key role in organizing and training the newly formed army. He also played a role in establishing the Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul, which was established to train and educate future military leaders.

Gracie served as Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army until 1951, when he retired from military service. He died in 1993 at the age of 94.

Field Marshal Ayub Khan (1951-1958)

Field Marshal Ayub Khan was the first military ruler of Pakistan and served as the country’s president from 1958 to 1969. He seized power in a military coup in 1958 and ruled as a dictator until his resignation in 1969.

Before serving as President, Ayub Khan served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, a post he held from 1951 to 1958. During his tenure as president, Ayub Khan implemented a number of economic and social reforms, including the establishment of a national education system and expansion of infrastructure. He is also credited with improving relations with other countries, particularly the United States.

However, Ayub Khan is also criticized for his suppression of political opposition and his handling of the 1965 war with India. He resigned as president in 1969 and died in 1974 at the age of 76.

General Muhammad Musa (1958-1966)

General Muhammad Musa was the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan from 1958 to 1966. He served as the Chief of the Pakistani Army during major political and military tensions in the region, including the Indo-Pak War of 1965.

Before serving as Chief of Army Staff, Musa served in various military and political positions, including Commander of the Pakistan Military Academy and Governor of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

As Chief of Army Staff, Musa played a key role in modernizing and strengthening the Pakistan Army. During his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, Musa faced significant challenges including the ongoing conflict in Kashmir and the Indo-Pak War of 1965. He retired from military service in 1966 and died in 1998 at the age of 95.

General Yahya Khan (1966-1971)

General Yahya Khan was the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan from 1966 to 1971 and the President of Pakistan from 1969 to 1971. He seized power in a military coup in 1969 and ruled as a dictator until his resignation in 1971.

Before serving as Chief of Army Staff, Yahya Khan served in various military and political positions, including Commander of the Pakistan Military Academy and Governor of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

During his tenure as president, Yahya Khan faced significant challenges, including political unrest and the ongoing conflict in Kashmir. He is also criticized for his handling of the 1971 civil war in East Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. He resigned as president in 1971 and died in 1980 at the age of 66.

General Tikka Khan (1971-1972)

Tikka Khan served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff from 1971 to 1972. He is best known for his role in the 1971 civil war in East Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. He is also criticized for his role in the military crackdown on Bengali separatists, which is believed to have resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. He retired from military service in 1972 and died in 2002 at the age of 84.

General Gul Hasan Khan (1972-1976)

Gul Hasan Khan served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff from 1972 to 1976. He is known for his role in the modernization and reorganization of the Pakistan Army. He also played a key role in improving relations with neighboring countries including India and Afghanistan. He retired from military service in 1976 and died in 2008 at the age of 91.

General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (1976-1988)

General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq was the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan from 1976 to 1988 and the President of Pakistan from 1978 to 1988. He took power in a military coup in 1977 and ruled as a dictator until his death in 1988. Before serving as Chief of Army Staff, Zia-ul-Haq served in various military and political posts as Governor of Punjab Province.

During his tenure as president, Zia-ul-Haq implemented a number of policies promoting Islamic fundamentalism, including the implementation of Sharia law and the Islamization of the education system. He is also criticized for his authoritarian rule and suppression of political opposition. He died in a plane crash in 1988.

General Aslam Baig (1988-1991)

General Aslam Baig served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff from 1988 to 1991. He is known for his role in modernizing and strengthening the Pakistan Army. He also played a key role in improving relations with the US and other countries.

As Chief of Army Staff, Aslam Baig implemented a number of reforms aimed at modernizing and strengthening the Pakistan Army. He also played a key role in improving relations with the US and other countries. Aslam Baig retired from military service in 1991 and died in 2017 at the age of 92.

General Asif Nawaz Janjua (1991-1993)

General Asif Nawaz Janjua served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff from 1991 to 1993. He was born in 1942 in village Kot Adu in Punjab, Pakistan. He received his primary education in his hometown and later joined the Pakistan Military Academy in 1962.

After completing his training at the Military Academy, Janjua was commissioned as an officer in the Pakistan Army. He served in various military and political positions during his career, including as Commander of Pakistan Military Academy and Governor of Punjab Province.

As Chief of Army Staff, Janjua implemented a number of reforms aimed at modernizing and strengthening the Pakistan Army. He also played a key role in improving relations with neighboring countries including India and Afghanistan.

Apart from his military career, Janjua was also involved in politics and was a member of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), a political party led by Nawaz Sharif. He retired from military service in 1993 and died the same year at the age of 51.

Janjua is remembered as a strong and decisive leader who played a key role in modernizing and strengthening the Pakistan Army.

General Waheed Kakar (1993-1996)

General Waheed Kakar served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff from 1993 to 1996. Waheed Kakar retired from military service in 1996 and died in 2013 at the age of 70.

General Jahangir Karamat (1996-1998)

General Jahangir Karamat served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff from 1996 to 1998. Jahangir Karamat retired from military service in 1998 and died in 2021 at the age of 81. General Jahangir Karamat was a Pakistani military officer who served as Chief of Army Staff. Army Staff from 1996 to 1998. He was born in 1940 in Quetta, Pakistan and received his early education in his hometown. He later joined the Pakistan Military Academy and was commissioned as an officer in the Pakistan Army in 1960.

General Pervez Musharraf (1998-2007)

General Pervez Musharraf was the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan from 1998 to 2007 and the President of Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. He seized power in a military coup in 1999 and ruled as a dictator until his resignation in 2008.

In 1999, Musharraf seized power in a military coup and became the president of Pakistan. During his tenure as president, he implemented a number of economic and social reforms, including the establishment of a national education system and expansion of infrastructure. He is credited with improving Pakistan’s relations with the United States, but has also been criticized for his authoritarian rule and handling of the Kargil conflict. He was forced to resign in 2008 and currently lives in self-imposed exile.

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani (2007-2013)

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan from 2007 to 2013. He was born in 1952 in Lahore, Pakistan and received his early education in his hometown. He later joined the Pakistan Military Academy and was commissioned as an officer in the Pakistan Army in 1974.

General Raheel Sharif (2013-2016)

General Raheel Sharif served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff from 2013 to 2016. He is known for his role in modernizing and strengthening the Pakistan Army.

General Raheel Sharif was the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan from 2013 to 2016. He was born in 1956 in Quetta, Pakistan and received his primary education in his hometown. He later joined the Pakistan Military Academy and was commissioned as an officer in the Pakistan Army in 1976.

Sharif retired from military service in 2016 and currently serves as the head of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition, an organization that aims to combat terrorism and promote cooperation among Muslim-majority countries.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa (2016-2022)

General Qamar Javed Bajwa is the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan from 2016 to 2022. Bajwa is the current Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, having assumed the post in 2016. He has focused on modernizing the military and improving relations with neighboring countries. He has also played a key role in the war against terrorism in Pakistan.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa is the current Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, he assumed the post in November 2016. He was born in 1960 in Ghakkar Mandi, Punjab, Pakistan and received his early education in his hometown. He later joined the Pakistan Military Academy and was commissioned as an officer in the Pakistan Army in 1980.