Command and Staff College


The Command and Staff College is a Pakistani military training institution where officers receive staff training and education. It was temporarily established in 1905 at Deolali and later shifted to Quetta in 1907, Baluchistan, British India, now in Pakistan. It has been the alma mater of many renowned soldiers from countries all around the world.
The college was previously affiliated with the University of Balochistan but is now affiliated with the National Defence University along with other staff and war colleges of Pakistan Navy and Air Force.

Location

The Command and Staff College is located at Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan, at the entrance to the Urak valley. To the north, south-east and south-west stand Takatu, Murdarghar and Chiltan, rising to heights of 930–1020 metres. Lower than the Murdarghar and closer to the Staff College, is 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

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."

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, is the mainstay of the college. The Senior Instructor Training 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 reputed seat of learning for warfare and allied staff aspects with a student body of approx 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:
The Pakistani officers who attend the course must meet the following requirements:
;Field Marshals
;Generals
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 in the College year-book, known at various times as Owl Pie, The Owl and The Review.

Clubs

Associated clubs include:
Shikar 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 an elegant building with an impressive 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.

Notable instructors