strategic planning division pakistan

Strategic Plans Division

' src=

Spearheaded by a three-star army general officer and embedded within the Joint Services Headquarters under the Chief of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) serves as the critical operational arm of the National Command Authority (NCA). Its mission is multifaceted, encompassing planning, coordination, and establishment of a reliable command, control, communication, computers, and intelligence network (C4I). The division is located at Chaklala, Rawalpindi, next to GHQ.

Lt Gen Nadeem Zaki Manj,Director General of the Strategic Plans Division

strategic planning division pakistan

Lt. General Nadeem Zaki Manj got his commission in 75 PMA Long Course Armoured Corps on March 13,1987. He has been Corps commander Mangla,Vice Chief of General Staff and Director General Military Intelligence.

The SPD acts as the brain and brawn of Pakistan’s nuclear program, fulfilling a diverse range of responsibilities:

  • Policy Formulation and Implementation:

Develops and proposes strategic policy options for the NCA’s consideration, including nuclear policy, strategy, and doctrine. Translates the NCA’s decisions into action, crafting comprehensive strategic and operational plans for the deployment of strategic forces.

  • Day-to-Day Management:

Oversees the day-to-day management of Pakistan’s strategic forces, ensuring their operational readiness and effectiveness. Coordinates the activities of various strategic organizations involved in the program, promoting collaboration and synergy. Manages budgetary, administrative, and security matters related to the nuclear program, ensuring efficient resource allocation and robust security protocols.

  • Specialized Directorates:

The SPD comprises eight dedicated directorates, each focusing on specific aspects of the nuclear program: Operations and Planning Directorate: Responsible for strategic planning, operational readiness, and training. C4ISD Directorate: Establishes and maintains the C4I network for secure communications and information exchange. Strategic Weapons Development Directorate: Oversees the research, development, and production of strategic weapons. Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Directorate: Engages in international arms control and disarmament initiatives. Security Division: Comprises a 25,000 strong force dedicated to safeguarding and protecting Pakistan’s nuclear assets and facilities.

  • Ensuring Reliability and Security:

The SPD prioritises the establishment of a robust and reliable C4I network, ensuring secure communication and information exchange crucial for effective command and control. It also implements stringent security measures to safeguard nuclear assets and prevent unauthorized access or use.

The SPD’s dedication and expertise are crucial to maintaining the effectiveness and security of Pakistan’s nuclear program. As the NCA’s key operational arm, it plays an indispensable role in safeguarding the nation’s security and deterrence posture.

Read about the Army Strategic Forces Command

Related Post

Soldier , 9 terrorists killed in two separate kp operations: ispr, the military admits offering three proposals to sack imran khan as pm, did army contact imran khan, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Marvin Weinbaum: If all fails, Pak Army may step in

Defence experts call for ai applications in military.

DAWN.COM Logo

Today's Paper | February 19, 2024

Pm briefed about initiatives of strategic plans division.

strategic planning division pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday was briefed about the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), which administers the country’s nuclear and missile programmes.

The Prime Minister Office said: “Director General, Strategic Plans Division Lt Gen Nadeem Zaki Manj called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at Islamabad.”

It said Mr Khan was briefed about the “initiatives of Strategic Plans Division”.

“Prime Minister appreciated the role and contribution of SPD,” it added.

This was, at least, the first officially announced briefing for the prime minister on SPD since he assumed office two years ago.

The SPD, established in 2001, serves as the secretariat of the National Command Authority (NCA) which oversees research, development, production and deployment of nuclear weapons. The SPD executes policies of the NCA.

Gen Manj, who took over as director general of the SPD last November, also serves as NCA secretary.

A meeting of the NCA was reportedly convened during the post-Pulwama standoff with India, but no statement on the session was issued.

That was the only NCA meeting to have so far taken place during the PTI government’s two years.

It is believed that another meeting of the NCA was being convened.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2020

Strategic planning cell to ensure better policymaking: PM

Strategic planning cell to ensure better policymaking: PM

Govt plans to restrict use of foreign satellites

Govt plans to restrict use of foreign satellites

Major shuffle brings in new army cgs, spd chief.

K-Solar, Faysal Bank, and Bulleh Shah Packaging collaborate to launch a 7.36 MW solar power project

K-Solar, Faysal Bank, and Bulleh Shah Packaging collaborate to launch a 7.36 MW solar power project

کنڈر گارٹن کی اصطلاح کو فارسی میں ‘کودکستان’ کیوں کہتے ہیں؟

کنڈر گارٹن کی اصطلاح کو فارسی میں ‘کودکستان’ کیوں کہتے ہیں؟

قومی اسمبلی کے 24 حلقوں میں مسترد شدہ ووٹ جیت کے مارجن سے زیادہ رہنے کا انکشاف

قومی اسمبلی کے 24 حلقوں میں مسترد شدہ ووٹ جیت کے مارجن سے زیادہ رہنے کا انکشاف

صدر مملکت نئی قومی اسمبلی کا پہلا اجلاس 29 فروری تک طلب کرنے کے پابند

صدر مملکت نئی قومی اسمبلی کا پہلا اجلاس 29 فروری تک طلب کرنے کے پابند

Why Are Farmers Protesting In India?

Why Are Farmers Protesting In India?

People Are Sick And Tired Of Political Engineering

People Are Sick And Tired Of Political Engineering

Can Gaza War Stop Global Production Of F-35 Fighter Jets?

Can Gaza War Stop Global Production Of F-35 Fighter Jets?

Top News Stories: 60.6M Pakistanis Exercised Right To Vote On Feb 8: Fafen

Top News Stories: 60.6M Pakistanis Exercised Right To Vote On Feb 8: Fafen

When Will Pakistan Get A New Govt?

When Will Pakistan Get A New Govt?

Pakistan General Election: “Nobody Is Talking About The Economy”

Pakistan General Election: “Nobody Is Talking About The Economy”

Top News: Imran Khan Warns Against Misadventure Of Forming Govt With Stolen Votes

Top News: Imran Khan Warns Against Misadventure Of Forming Govt With Stolen Votes

What’s Happening In Rafah?

What’s Happening In Rafah?

Latest stories.

Services of social media platform X disrupted in Pakistan for third day

Services of social media platform X disrupted in Pakistan for third day

PM Kakar again skips IHC hearing on Baloch missing students case

PM Kakar again skips IHC hearing on Baloch missing students case

India offers protesting farmers support prices on corn, cotton and pulses

India offers protesting farmers support prices on corn, cotton and pulses

It can be difficult for government officials to navigate the corporate world

It can be difficult for government officials to navigate the corporate world

Can a participatory coalition government deliver political and economic stability?

Can a participatory coalition government deliver political and economic stability?

Equities remain undervalued due to high-risk premium caused by political, economic uncertainty

Equities remain undervalued due to high-risk premium caused by political, economic uncertainty

Blogger Mystapaki gives a lesson on using your privilege the right way

Blogger Mystapaki gives a lesson on using your privilege the right way

‘Manzar’ is the electronic escape you didn’t necessarily ask for but definitely need

‘Manzar’ is the electronic escape you didn’t necessarily ask for but definitely need

Looking for a good read we compiled a list of five must-read books by asian authors, most popular.

Official shunted after rigging bombshell

Official shunted after rigging bombshell

‘Army has tested everyone’: GDA foresees martial law

‘Army has tested everyone’: GDA foresees martial law

PTI demands CEC, CJP resign after ‘revelations’

PTI demands CEC, CJP resign after ‘revelations’

Rawalpindi commissioner says poll results ‘manipulated’ under his watch; ECP rejects claims

Rawalpindi commissioner says poll results ‘manipulated’ under his watch; ECP rejects claims

Chaos unfolding.

‘Fascist and shameful’: Political analysts, lawyers condemn PTI candidate Salman Akram Raja’s arrest in Lahore

‘Fascist and shameful’: Political analysts, lawyers condemn PTI candidate Salman Akram Raja’s arrest in Lahore

Courts must exercise caution in matters of faith: CJP

Courts must exercise caution in matters of faith: CJP

PPP, PML-N unable to finalise ‘give and take’ in coalition talks

PPP, PML-N unable to finalise ‘give and take’ in coalition talks

Ring Road SL-3 opens to traffic

Ring Road SL-3 opens to traffic

Pakistan’s elections in numbers — low turnout, gender inequality and voting mishaps

Pakistan’s elections in numbers — low turnout, gender inequality and voting mishaps

Editorial: It is time for all political stakeholders to respect the split verdict given by the people

Editorial: It is time for all political stakeholders to respect the split verdict given by the people

Uncertainty is set to continue with no sign of temporary truce between feuding political parties

Uncertainty is set to continue with no sign of temporary truce between feuding political parties

Contenders for the next finance minister

Contenders for the next finance minister

Public sentiment can neither be swayed by media outlets nor coerced beyond a certain degree

Public sentiment can neither be swayed by media outlets nor coerced beyond a certain degree

Hard road ahead

Hard road ahead

Ruptures in 2024

Ruptures in 2024

Young voters

Young voters

Let students thrive

Let students thrive

Blackout to backlash

Blackout to backlash

Pml-n challenge, democracy’s decline, banning festivity, fafen report, power protests, a just transition.

A just transition

CISS Pakistan

Center for International Strategic Studies

CISS Workshop on Strategic Matters for KIU Delegation

CISS Workshop on Strategic Matters for KIU Delegation

CISS In-house Workshop on Pakistan’s Northern Frontier: Geostrategic Significance of Gilgit-Baltistan

CISS In-house Workshop on Pakistan’s Northern Frontier: Geostrategic Significance of Gilgit-Baltistan

CISS-Stimson Center Roundtable on Evolving Strategic Stability Trends: Challenges & Way Forward

CISS-Stimson Center Roundtable on Evolving Strategic Stability Trends: Challenges & Way Forward

CISS International Workshop on Exploring New Frontiers in International Security: Cyber, AI, and Autonomy

CISS International Workshop on Exploring New Frontiers in International Security: Cyber, AI, and Autonomy

Visit of CISS delegation to International Atomic Energy Agency HQ, Vienna

Visit of CISS delegation to International Atomic Energy Agency HQ, Vienna

COVERING THE STRATEGIC BALANCE ACROSS SOUTH ASIA AND BEYOND

February 13, 2024

strategic planning division pakistan

January 26, 2024

CISS talkshow with Such News on Pakistan’s Response to Political, Economic, and Strategic Shifts on Regional and Global Canvas: Opportunities and Challenges

strategic planning division pakistan

January 21, 2024

ED CISS gave comments on Pak-Iran Relations on GTV News

strategic planning division pakistan

January 16, 2024

AI’s Oppenheimer Moment: Establishing Regulations

strategic planning division pakistan

January 12, 2024

strategic planning division pakistan

January 10, 2024

ED CISS gave a talk on Pakistan’s perspective on the Kashmir and Palestine conflict at a seminar in QAU Islamabad

strategic planning division pakistan

January 9, 2024

ED CISS Shared His Views on American Ambassadors Meeting with Pakistani Politicians on GTV News

strategic planning division pakistan

January 4, 2024

Call for Papers | CISS Insight, Summer 2024

strategic planning division pakistan

ED CISS gave comments on Close and Deeper Relations between India and Russia on Such News

strategic planning division pakistan

  • Interim page numbers omitted …
  • Go to Next Page »

CISS Insight

Published bi-annually, the CISS Insight offers in depth discourse on strategic issues from across the globe, by leading experts.

Conferences

Round table conferences, workshops and seminars lie at the heart of our efforts for enhanced awareness of strategic issues.

Expert analyses by the CISS team on prevalent national and international security challenges, published periodically.

CISS Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest views and dissections from CISS.

  • Name First Last
  • Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Your insight into the global strategic outlook, with Pakistan in prespective.

strategic planning division pakistan

CISS Blogs are live now

Join us and become a Star Member of the Strategic Community!

Visit Here!

strategic planning division pakistan

Ms. Ayesha Abbasi

+92-000-000-0000, +92-51-2722343 +92-51-8315410-423.

Ayesha Abbasi is working as a Senior Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. Her fields of interest include geopolitics (with a special focus on U.S. foreign policy), international security, nuclear politics, nuclear strategy, arms control/disarmament, environmental security, and climate change. Previously, she has worked with Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division as an International Relations Analyst at the Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Branch. She continues to contribute to national dailies on issues of her interest. Abbasi holds an M. Phil degree in Strategic and Nuclear Studies from National Defence University, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Science from Bahria University, Islamabad.

Sabeen Malik

Sabeen Malik

[email protected].

Ms. Sabeen Malik is a Research Assistant at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). She holds an M. Phil degree in International Relations from National Defence University, Islamabad. Her research interests include Pakistan’s Foreign Policy Affairs, Geopolitics in Indian Ocean, Non-traditional Security, and Climate Change. Her M. Phil’s dissertation was on “Climate Change Policy Responses: A Comparative Analysis of India and Pakistan”. She also contributes opinion articles in prominent newspapers and magazines.

Maryyum Masood

Ms Maryyum Masood

[email protected].

Ms Maryyum Masood is Research Officer at the Center. She holds a B.Sc. degree in Defense and Diplomatic Studies from Fatima Jinnah Women University. Her seminar paper was titled “Geopolitics of South China Sea.” Her research interests are nuclear policy and development in South Asia. She regularly publishes on contemporary issues in prominent newspapers and magazines.

strategic planning division pakistan

Syed Sadam Hussain Shah​

[email protected].

Syed Sadam Hussain Shah worked as Research Assistant at CISS. His research focuses on International Cyber, Technology and Nuclear Policy issues. He has participated in a Track-2 dialogue on South Asian Strategic Stability in Istanbul. His research has been published in leading international journals and think tanks including the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, CSIS Washington D.C., and Anthology Series for Strategic Studies Canada. He has presented papers at the Shanghai University in China and Karadeniz Teknik University in Turkey. He is currently working as a review editor for the Journal of Politics and Sustainability. He graduated from National Defence University, Islamabad with an MSc in International Relations.

strategic planning division pakistan

Mr Samran Ali

[email protected].

Mr Samran Ali is Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. He has studied at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. His areas of interest include nuclear arms control and non-proliferation, nuclear and strategic issues, emerging technologies, strategic capabilities, as well as conventional arms in South Asia. He has published in various issues of the CISS Insight journal. He has also written in national and international publications including South Asian Voices, The National Interest, The Express Tribune, CSCR Islamabad, Hilal, etc. He is also part of the CTBTO-CENESS Research Fellowship 2022.

strategic planning division pakistan

Mr Riaz A. Khokhar

[email protected], +92-51-2722343     +92-51-8315410-423.

Mr Riaz Khokhar was Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad, Pakistan. He was also an Asia Studies Visiting Fellow at the East-West Center in Washington in 2019. His research interests are geopolitics and strategy, foreign policy, nuclear politics, and strategic stability issues in South Asia. His analysis has appeared in peer-reviewed journals CISS Insight and the Asia Pacific Issues, and opinion platforms, including Atlantic Council’s South Asia Source, Stimson Center’s South Asian Voices, The National Interest, The Diplomat, Asia Pacific Bulletin, The News International, Newsweek Pakistan, and 9Dashline. He has also made speaking engagements at a public seminar in East-West Center in Washington and webinars of Stimson Center and Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs.

Afeera Firdous

Ms Afeera Firdous

[email protected].

Ms Afeera Firdous was Associate Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad. She holds an M. Phil degree in Strategic Studies from National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. Her M. Phil thesis was on “Counter-terrorism in Cyberspace: Comparative Analysis of Pakistan and India”. Her research interests include counter-extremism, counter-terrorism, cyber and information warfare.

strategic planning division pakistan

Mr Sufian Ullah

[email protected], +92-321-883-3386.

Sufian Ullah was Senior Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). He holds an M.Phil degree in Strategic & Nuclear Studies, from National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. His areas of interest include the nuclear policies of various nuclear weapons States and the geo-politics in the Indian Ocean Region. His current work investigates the developing naval competition among regional States and also the emerging dynamics of sea-based nuclear deterrence in South Asia.

strategic planning division pakistan

Ms Maimuna Ashraf

[email protected].

Ms Maimuna Ashraf was Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad, Pakistan. She is a former Visiting Fellow at South Asian Voices (SAV), the Stimson Center in Washington D.C. Previously, she was associated with an Islamabad based think-tank, Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), Islamabad as Senior Research Associate. Ms. Ashraf has been participating in national as well as international certificate courses/trainings on areas of her research that includes nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, weapons of mass destruction and nuclear doctrines/postures with special reference to South Asia. She presented her research work at international workshops/seminars including Atlantic Council, Stimson Center and European Union Nonproliferation and Disarmament Consortium. She also has been a coordinator and contributor for various national conferences/seminars. She holds an M.Phil. in International Relations from Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Her M.Phil. dissertation focused on Nuclear Disaster Management in Pakistan. Her writings have appeared in The National Interest, South Asian Voices, CISS Strategic Insight, International Policy Digest, The News International and various dailies on issues of her interest.

strategic planning division pakistan

Mr Muhammad Sarmad Zia

[email protected], +92-333-154-1475.

Mr Muhammad Sarmad Zia was Research Fellow at the Centre of International Strategic Studies (CISS). He is also the Assistant Editor of the Center’s Bi-annual Journal CISS Insight. He holds an M.Phil. Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University. His areas of interest include foreign and defence policies of global and regional powers, nuclear strategy and stability, arms control and nonproliferation policy. His MPhil thesis is titled ‘Russia’s Defence Policy: A case-study of Putin Era (1999-2016)’. He has previously interned at the Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Directorate of Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division, worked at Dawn News as a trainee sub-editor and interned at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) at the National Defence University (NDU). He writes opinion pieces in newspapers and runs an online blog on regional and international strategic issues. He can be reached at [email protected]

strategic planning division pakistan

Mr Saadain Gardezi

[email protected].

Mr Saadain Gardezi was Research Intern at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). He is a student of Bachelors in Strategic Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad. His research interests include Traditional and Non-Traditional Security Paradigms and the strategic implications of the rise of China and Russia in Eurasian and the Global World Order.

Ms Huma Rehman, Senior Research Officer

Ms Huma Rehman

[email protected].

Ms Huma Rehman was Associate Director research at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad, Pakistan, where she works on various aspects of Strategic security issues; International Security, Nuclear/Missile Proliferation, WMD Terrorism, Arms Control/Disarmament, Conflict management and Resolution. Among her academic degrees, she holds M.Phil degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. She has also completed her fellowship at Monterey Institute International Studies (MIIS) on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Studies, California-US. She also worked as a research fellow at Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque-New Mexico-US. She has received a certificate on Nuclear Safeguards Policy Middlebury Institute International Studies (MIIS) on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Studies, California-US. She has also taught Strategic Studies courses as a Visiting Lecturer in Islamabad University. Ms. Rehman has been part of internationally arranged track two programs between Pakistan and India. She contributes articles, and book reviews in ‘CISS Insight’ on South Asian and international strategic issues. She also writes in Newspapers and participates in Television Talk Shows.

Saima Aman Sial

Ms Saima Aman Sial

[email protected].

Ms Saima Aman Sial was Senior Research Officer and expert in strategic issues at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. She is also the associate editor of CISS Insight, a biannual journal of the Center. Aman is a former Nonproliferation Fellow the Center for Nonproliferation Studies Monterey California, Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Education Center, South Korea and Sandia National Laboratories, USA. She has an M.Phil in Strategic Studies from National Defence University. Her dissertation related to  “Evolution of Pakistan’s Naval Strategic Thought: For an assured second strike Capability” . She has participated in several national as well as international certificate courses/trainings on nuclear science and technology, safety and security of radioactive sources, nonproliferation and arms control, Chemical weapons Convention (assistance and protection) and nuclear disarmament.

Previously, she served as a research coordinator and Senior Research Associate in Center for Pakistan and Gulf Studies and Strategic Technology Resources respectively. She has an experience of working with Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division as an Assistant Director – Research in its Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Directorate for some years. She has conducted research on a variety of subjects including nuclear strategy, doctrines, safety and security, command and control systems, multilateral export controls, Indian Ocean geostrategy, arms control and nonproliferation policy with special reference to South Asia.

She is a frequent contributor in national and international conferences relating to strategic issues, including being a part of India-Pakistan Track II engagements. She also contributes in national dailies on South Asian deterrence, nonproliferation, export control and nuclear policy issues and has been adjunct faculty at Bahria University Islamabad.

strategic planning division pakistan

Syed Muhammad Ali

[email protected].

Syed Muhammad Ali is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. Pakistan. He is widely published, interviewed and quoted on geopolitical, strategic, nuclear and security issues, both nationally and internationally. He is a frequent participant in various international Track-2 engagements and regular commentator at policy forums, thinks tank and universities on strategic and nuclear issues. Earlier, he has taught Dimensions of Modern Strategy, Foreign Policy Analysis and Comparative Politics at the National Defence University and served as a Course Coordinator and member of the NDU disciplinary committee. He designed and introduced over 30 new courses, which are currently being taught at M.Sc, M.Phil and PhD levels and also reviewed Higher Education Commission’s curriculum of International Relations. He also teaches at the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan and has a rich and diverse international exposure of both government and multinational organizations. Earlier, he has served as a correspondent at the Voice of America at its Washington, D.C headquarters and Pakistan Television Ltd., Islamabad, respectively. He has also served as Controller at the Cross Media Ltd., a London-based Japanese media company and auditor/consultant at the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), world’s largest consultancy firm. His diverse portfolio at the PwC included some of the world’s leading energy giants like Shell, Schlumberger, OMV, Premier Oil, large telecom companies such as Ericsson, PTCL and private organizations such as Agha Khan Foundation and GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology.

strategic planning division pakistan

Dr. Mansoor Ahmed

[email protected].

Dr. Mansoor Ahmed was Senior Research Fellow at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad, Pakistan. He is a former Stanton Junior Faculty Fellow (2015-16) and Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2016-18) with the Managing the Atom Project/International Security Program at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center. He was also an MTA Associate for 2018-2019.

Previously, he was a Visiting Research Scholar at the Cooperative Monitoring Center, Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M., USA in 2013.

He has also served as a Lecturer in the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DSS), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad from 2011 to 2015, and as Visiting Faculty in the Department of Strategic and Nuclear Studies, National Defence University, Islamabad from 2009-2011.

Before joining the academia, he worked in the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service from July 2003 to January 2011.

Dr. Ahmed holds a PhD in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. His research interests include various aspects of Pakistani and Indian nuclear programs and policies; fissile materials, non-proliferation, arms control and strategic stability issues with special reference to South Asia. His research work has been published by the Belfer Center, the Stimson Center, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

strategic planning division pakistan

Mr Zawar Haider Abidi

[email protected], +92-331-546-9447.

Mr Zawar Haider Abidi is a former military officer. He has served in Pakistan Army for over 26 years on various assignments. He has also served in Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Branch Strategic Plans Division, secretariat of the Pakistan National Command Authority from October 2001 to Nov 2012. He has been a visiting fellow at the Henry L. Stimson Center, Washington D.C, USA (2003), and a visiting fellow at the James Martin Center for Non-proliferation Studies, Monterey, California, USA. (2010).

He has been an expert consultant supporting United Nation Security Council (UNSC) 1540 Committee for a period of five years from November 2012 to Nov 2017 to monitor the implementation of UNSC resolution 1540 by the UN Member States.

While in Pakistan Army he has been on the faculty of number of training institutions. In Arms Control and Disarmament Branch SPD he has worked on issues related to non-proliferation, arms control, strategic trade management, research and outreach. He has been part of inter-agency groups responsible for, drafting Pakistan’s Export Control Act 2004, designing and establishment of Strategic Export Control Division of Pakistan, compilation of Pakistan’s National Control List and an inter-agency group developing the architecture for deployment of Radiological Portal Monitors on all land, air and sea border crossing for exercising effective border control. Zawar Haider Abidi has served as visiting faculty at the Defence and Strategic Studies Department at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad (2008). He has participated in number of international conferences, seminars and workshops on non-proliferation and strategic trade management.

Due to his stay at United States as an Expert Consultant supporting UNSC 1540 Committee he has a unique experience in implementation of WMD non-proliferation in general and UNSC resolution 1540 in particular, at the global level. He has participated in number of international conferences, seminars and workshops on non-proliferation and strategic trade management. He has an in-depth understanding and knowledge of implementing laws and regulations with regard to CWC, BWC, NPT and their means of delivery of twenty-three UN Member States of Asian Region including the SAARC Member States.

Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid

Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid

[email protected], +92-314-510-6666.

Dr. Syed Javaid Khurshid was Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS). His special interest is in Nuclear Knowledge Management, Nuclear Energy, Climate Change, and Nuclear Techniques for achieving SDGs, Science, Nuclear, and BioDiplomacy. His expertise is in the Mitigation and Control of CBRN. He is Secretary National Member Organization, IIASA Laxenburg, Austria. He is Member Technical Committee of HEC-MoFA Internal Compliance Committee on Export Control Laws. Dr. Javaid is a Fellow of the Chemical & Nuclear Society of Pakistan and also served as President of Pakistan Nuclear Society from 2016-2018.

Dr. Javaid is an approved Ph.D. supervisor of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). He is a member of Editorial/Advisory Board of the Journal of Center for International Strategic Studies, Journal of Bioterrorism & Biodefence, Journal of Security & Strategic Analyses and Global Affairs Magazine. He is also an Associate Editor of the Journal of JPMS, USA. He has 73 publications in international/national journals, 12 international proceedings, 02 National Guidelines, 15 research reports, 25 articles, 66 presentations. He is listed as Productive Scientists of Pakistan with an Impact Factor of 196 and Google Scholar Citation of 220. He has been a visiting faculty at several Pakistani Universities.

Dr. Javaid worked for Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for 40 years in different capacities as Consultant/Advisor/Director General/Director of Planning, Development & Projects Coordination, Director Biosciences. As Director Biosciences from 1999-2006 he has developed 9 cancer hospitals. He is an expert on Project Planning, Preparation, Management, Monitoring & Evaluation. He was Project Director of Development and Monitoring cell at P&D. He was Director at Large of Planning Management Institute, PA USA (Islamabad Chapter). 

He was a member of the Inter-ministerial committee of Biological Weapon Control MoFA, Government of Pakistan. Presented Pakistan as a technical expert to UN meetings on Biological Weapon Convention (BWC) and a State Party representative to UN on BWC meetings & helped in making the legislation on dual-use products.

He worked as an Executive Secretary of prestigious Abdus Salam International Nathiagali Summer College from 2006-2016 and Founder Member of Friends of ICTP. He helped disseminate knowledge & motivate research teams by arranging College every year on Cutting Edge Technologies with the support of Abdus Salaam International Centre of Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, US-National Science Foundation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Centre of European Nuclear Research (CERN).

Brigadier (Retired) Dr. Naeem Salik

Brigadier (Retired) Dr. Naeem Salik

[email protected].

Brigadier (Retired) Dr. Naeem Salik is a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Western Australia. He holds a Master’s in International Politics and Strategic Studies from the University of Wales, UK and a Master’s in History from the Punjab University. He has been a visiting fellow at the Stimson Centre, Stanford University, Brookings Institution and School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

He has served in the Pakistan Army in a variety of assignments for 33 years including a fairly long tenure as Director Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs at the Strategic Plans Division. He has taught post-graduate courses at the Department of Defence & Strategic Studies at the Quaid-i-Azam University from 1994 to 2005. He also taught Masters and M Phil courses at the Strategic & Nuclear Studies Department at National Defence University, Islamabad.

He has attended numerous international conferences and track-2 initiatives and has published over 30 research articles and book chapters on strategic and security issues. His book ‘Genesis of South Asian Nuclear Deterrence’ was published by the Oxford University Press in 2009. His second book on “Learning to Live with The Bomb – Pakistan 1998-2016” came out in 2017 and is a valuable addition to the subject. He is working as a Senior Research Fellow at CISS, Islamabad.

strategic planning division pakistan

Mr. Iftikhar Uddin Hasan

[email protected].

Iftikhar Uddin Hasan was the Editor of biannual journal of the center CISS Insight. He is also the Research Coordinator at the center. Apart from his editorial responsibilities, he also supervises and guides researchers to ensure that work done by the research team meet the necessary requirements.

He has an experience of working as the Editor of Pakistan Army Journal and Pakistan Defence Review, published by Pakistan Army for over three years. Hasan has a long teaching experience in Pakistan’s military institutions spread over several decades. He also has to his credit the establishment and management of a school system for low-paid industrial workers in the KPK.

Yasir Mehmood

Mr Yasir Mehmood

[email protected], [email protected].

Mr. Yasir Mehmood was Active Director (AD) Finance & Administration / H.R Coordinator at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad, Pakistan, where he deals with administration matters, human resource and financial reports and responsible for  audit, monitoring, upgrading and tax compliance. He has experience of different projects as research associate, an organizer of SME and Entrepreneurship, Participated as a presenter in Marketing Presentation Gala (MPG) and also organized 3rd National Universities of Modern Languages (NUML) job fair.

Mr. Mehmood holds Masters in Business Administration. His career appointment includes Soneri Bank Limited, as an Operation Officer, Askari Bank Limited as a Personal Financial Consultant. His areas of specialization are: Branch Banking, Commercial Banking, Credit Analysis, Risk Management, Employee Orientation, Operational Excellence, Organizational Charts management, Employee Relations, Development & Implementation of Accounts, Administration and HR Policies and Procedures. He is currently pursuing his M.Phil in Management Sciences.

strategic planning division pakistan

Ms Tooba Rizwan

[email protected].

Ms Tooba Rizwan was Research Intern at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). She is a student of Bachelors in Strategic Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad. Her research interests include the Global Non-Proliferation Regime & US-China geopolitics with special focus on their implications on South Asia.

strategic planning division pakistan

Ms. Summaiya Malik

[email protected], +92-332-091-4642.

Ms. Summaiya Malik is a Research Assistant at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). She holds an MPhil degree in International Relations from National Defense University, Islamabad and has previously worked under ISSRA, NDU as a researcher. Her research interests are peaceful use of nuclear technology, Strategic stability in South Asia, Foreign and Defense Policy Affairs of Pakistan. She has published on various contemporary issues in CGSS Writer’s Column.

Dr. Rahat Iqbal

Dr Rahat Iqbal

[email protected].

Dr Rahat Iqbal is Associate Director Research at the Center for International Strategic Studies, Islamabad. She has pursued her doctorate in the field of strategic studies from department of International Relations, University of Peshawar. Besides her doctorate she has also gained sufficient experience in project/program design, planning, research, monitoring and evaluation in both humanitarian, health, education and development scenarios.  Apart from that she has excellent interpersonal, communication, motivational, conflict management and resolution skills with informed decision-making abilities. She has her interest in the areas of nuclear studies, arms control and disarmament, foreign policy, strategic studies, national security etc.

Muhammad Ali Baig

Mr Muhammad Ali Baig

[email protected].

Mr Baig holds a Masters degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He has research experience at Pak-Afghan Youth Forum (PAYF), Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), Islamabad and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Rawalpindi. His experiences are related to domestic and international security, foreign policy, fifth-generation warfare and global human rights practices.

He has multiple publications on various issues such as Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, arms control and disarmament, Indian military modernization, emerging technologies and their impact on conventional and nuclear deterrence.

Syed Ali Abbas

Mr. Syed Ali Abbas

[email protected].

Syed Ali Abbas is Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad, Pakistan. He is also the Co-Founding Editor of Global Defense Insight, an online defense media forum. Previously, Syed worked as associate editor at Indus News Network. His area of interests are Middle East Politics, Foreign Policy, and Nuclear Politics.  He writes on various platforms in areas of his interests.

strategic planning division pakistan

Mr Fakhar Alam

[email protected].

Mr. Fakhar Alam is Research Officer at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. He holds a bachelor’s (BS) degree in Strategic and Nuclear Studies from National Defence University, Islamabad. Before joining CISS, he has been an intern at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad. His research interests are Arms control and Disarmament, Non-Proliferation Regime, South Asian Strategic Stability and Revolution in Military Affairs.

Saliha Mehboob

Ms. Saliha Mehboob

[email protected].

Saliha Mehboob is working with Center for International Security Studies (CISS). She holds an MPhil degree from the department of School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. Her MPhil thesis is hinged on ‘Environmental Politics, Regimes and Global Governance’. Previously, she was engaged with diverse research undertakings being a part of Senate Secretariat and academia. Apart from other domains of International Relations, she is keen to dive head-first into research ventures along the lines of Nuclear and Strategic Stability, Emerging Technologies, Nuclear Regimes and Cartels, Non-Traditional Security Threats, Economics of Defence.

Mobeen Jafar Mir

Mr Mobeen Jafar Mir

[email protected].

Mobeen Jafar Mir is Research Officer at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad, Pakistan (2022-Present). He holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. Prior to joining CISS, he served as Research Assistant at Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI). His research areas include Pakistan’s foreign policy, defence, emerging non-traditional security threats and human rights. He regularly writes for national and international newspapers.

strategic planning division pakistan

Mr Murad Ali

[email protected].

Murad Ali is Research Officer at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad. He received his M.Phil in international relations from the University of Peshawar and M.S. in international relations from the National Defence University Islamabad. Prior to joining CISS, he worked as a lecturer in the University of Swabi’s department of peace and conflict studies, where he is credited for establishing international relations as a distinct field of study under the purview of the department of peace and conflict studies. His research work focuses on international security, strategic stability, nuclear studies, foreign policy, and weapons control and disarmament.

Abdul Moiz Khan

Mr Abdul Moiz Khan

[email protected].

Abdul Moiz Khan works with CISS as Research Officer. He previously worked as Research and Teaching Assistant at School of Politics and IR, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He has Bachelors in Political Science from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He also wrote research articles for BASIC, UK based think tank. His research interests include Emerging Technologies, Strategic Stability, Military Modernization, Strategic Doctrine and South Asia.

Dr Muhammadi

Dr Muhammadi

[email protected].

Dr. Muhammadi is Associate Director Research at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad. He holds a Ph.D. in Politics & International Relations from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA), Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), Shanghai, PR China.

Before joining CISS, he served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Politics and International Studies, Karakoram International University, Gilgit, Pakistan. He has also served more than six years with the District Administration Department Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

His research areas and interests include China-South Asia Relations, Belt & Road Initiative/CPEC, Non-Traditional Security, Foreign policy analysis, Pakistan’s Nuclear Program and Policy, Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology, and Emerging Technologies.

 His research articles have been published in international and national peer review journals. He also writes opinions/articles for various online platforms and dailies, including the National Interest, Daily Times, World Geostrategic Insights, Global Village Space (GVS), and Eurasia Review.

Anum A. Khan

Ms Anum A. Khan

[email protected].

Ms Anum A. Khan is Associate Director Research at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad. She has worked with Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division as an International Relations Analyst at the Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Branch. She is currently enrolled in Ph. D program of Defence and Diplomatic Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad and is a visiting Ph.D. scholar at the School of History, Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester, UK. She holds an M.Phil Degree in Strategic and Nuclear Studies from National Defence University, Islamabad and BS (Hon’s) in Media and Communication Studies from International Islamic University, Islamabad. Her areas of interests include issues related to Deterrence and Strategic Stability, Non-Proliferation, Nuclear Export Control Cartels including Nuclear Suppliers Group, Arms Control and Disarmament.

Amna Saqib

Ms Amna Saqib

[email protected].

Ms Amna Saqib is Research Officer at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad. She holds an M.Phil degree in International Relations from National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad. She has worked as Visiting Faculty member at SPIR, QAU Islamabad, and NDU, Islamabad and she has also been an intern at Arms Control Disarmament Affairs, Directorate of Pakistan’s Strategic Plan Division.  Her area of interests include Foreign Policies of Major Powers, International Security, Global Nuclear Politics and Nuclear Strategies. She contributes articles to the National dailies on issues of her interest.

Muhammad Shakir

Mr Muhammad Shakir

[email protected], +92-314-522-9964.

Muhammad Shakir is Research Fellow at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). He holds M.Sc. degree in Strategic & Nuclear Studies, from the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. His areas of interests include Arms Control & Disarmament, Nonproliferation of WMDs, and Nuclear Discourse in South Asia.

Yasir Hussain

Mr Yasir Hussain

[email protected], +92-313-537-7441.

Mr. Yasir Hussain is Research Fellow at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). He is former South Asia Fellow at Stimson Center Washington DC. He was also a Youth Ambassador to Turkey. He holds an M.Phil. degree in International Relations from Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. His areas of interest include, Arms Control and Disarmament, Maritime Nuclear Dynamics, and Nuclear Nonproliferation.  His articles have been published by leading national and international dailies.

strategic planning division pakistan

Ms Tooba Mansoor

[email protected].

Ms. Tooba Mansoor is Research Fellow at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). She holds M.Phil Degree in International Relations from Quaid–e–Azam University Islamabad. Her areas of interest are Arms Control & Disarmament, Nonproliferation and Counter Proliferation.

Ahsan Ali Zahid

Mr Ahsan Ali Zahid

[email protected], +92-300-984-7029.

Mr. Ahsan holds an M. Phil degree from the School of Politics and International Relations at the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. His research interests are strategic studies, nuclear non-proliferation, modern warfare, and technology. His work has been published in many national and international newspapers, and magazines.

Mr. Hasan Ehtisham

Mr Hasan Ehtisham

[email protected], +92-322-571-5001.

Mr. Hasan Ehtisham is Research Fellow at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Islamabad. He holds an M. Phil degree in Strategic Studies from QAU. His analytical research work contributes to the topics of geopolitics, terrorism, conflict resolution, military strategies, Pakistan’s nuclear strategy, non-proliferation regime, arms control, and disarmament.

Tooba Ghaffar

Ms Tooba Ghaffar

[email protected].

Ms Tooba Ghaffar was Assistant Researcher at the Center. She holds a B.A.(Hons) in International Relations. Her primary interest area is Indo-Pak security relations with a special focus on the nuclear deterrence. Her undergrad research involved exploring nuclear deterrence with the lens of stability-instability paradox. She frequently writes on her subject for prominent newspapers.

Sajid Aziz

Mr Sajid Aziz

[email protected], +92-51-2722343 | +92-51-8315410-423, +92-321-809-5623 | +92-332-133-3918.

Mr Sajid Aziz was working as Research Officer at CISS. He holds a Master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) from Quaid-I-Azam University. His Master’s seminar paper was “Oslo Accords: Prelude to a Durable Peace or Palestinian Capitulation?” His areas of interest include the politics of Middle East, security, strategic and foreign policy issues.

strategic planning division pakistan

Dr Farooque Ahmed Leghari

[email protected].

Dr Farooque Ahmed Leghari served as Visiting Research Fellow at Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). He has recently finished his PhD in Strategic and Security Studies on “The role of nuclear deterrence in Pakistan’s strategic policy towards India” from School of History, Politics and Strategy, National University of Malaysia. He is presently serving as a lecturer at Department of International Relations at University of Sindh, Jamshoro, since April, 2010. Before joining the university, he had worked with Dawn News and SAMAA TV. He has various publications in international and Pakistani research journals to his credit. He frequently appears on electronic media and shares his analysis on international issues.

strategic planning division pakistan

Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi

[email protected], +92-301-856-1240, +92-51-8315410-423.

In a long diplomatic career of thirty six years, from 1970 to 2006, which culminated in senior Ambassadorial positions, he also served at the United Nations, both in New York and Vienna, and in Washington D.C, London, Paris and Brussels. In the course of professional work he delivered lectures and speeches on various current affairs issues in seminars, conferences and symposia in national and international forum. He also participates and appears on TV and electronic media, both in Pakistan and abroad. After serving as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Austria and the IAEA, he was appointed Member (Chairman’s Advisory Council) in the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), and functioned as Adviser to the Chairman PAEC on International Affairs, with particular focus on IAEA matters.

Ambassador Naqvi is presently serving as the founding Executive Director of the Center. Established in October 2010, The Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) is an independent and autonomous think-tank for research and analysis of current regional and international strategic issues from a Pakistani perspective. It also aims to contribute to the national and international discourse, and thus create greater understanding between Pakistan and other countries.

Other Engagements:

Serving as Distinguished Visiting Fellow (DVF) in the National Defence University, Islamabad since August 2010.

Associated with other Pakistani Research Institutes since November 2009.

Appointed Expert on the Technical Committee of the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) of the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad in April 2009.

Pakistan country strategic plan (2018-2022)

Operation id: pk01.

CSP approved at EB.1/2018

Revision 01 approved by the RD in December 2020

Revision 02 approved by the RD in August 2021

Revision 03 approved by the RD in September 2022

Having realized economic growth and improved security, Pakistan is consolidating efforts and making significant investments to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Persistent malnutrition, high vulnerability to natural disasters and the effects of climate change and declining smallholder production and productivity are challenges that will need to be overcome to achieve the Government of Pakistan’s goal of socio-economic progress. A proper foundation, including a food secure, nourished, educated and healthy population, stability, gender equality and livelihood opportunities, can drive prosperity for the world’s sixth most populous country.

Pakistan’s national development plan, Vision 2025, recognizes the country’s people as its greatest asset and seeks to improve human and social capital, food security and nutrition. The United Nations sustainable development framework for Pakistan for 2018–2022 will focus on economic growth, food security, nutrition, resilience, education, productive livelihoods and social protection. Through rigorous analysis and extensive consultations, a strategic review of food security and nutrition in Pakistan identified challenges to and solutions for eliminating hunger and malnutrition, with the challenges including a need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to food security and nutrition for a rapidly growing and urbanizing population and investment in cost effective approaches that will yield results for future generations.

The strategic review and discussions with the Government served as the basis for this country strategic plan, which describes WFP’s contributions to national priority actions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 17 and continue the transition from delivering humanitarian assistance to supporting the Government in building Pakistan’s domestic capacity. At the nexus of humanitarian assistance and development, these efforts aim to safeguard development gains against natural while paving a way to development.

This country strategic plan follows government priorities and seeks synergies with partners to support Pakistan in achieving Vision 2025, the Sustainable Development Goals and other priorities of the Government of Pakistan, including by helping the Government of Pakistan to meet its commitments with regard to international norms and standards. It does so through five strategic outcomes:

  • Strategic outcome 1: Affected populations in Pakistan have timely access to adequate food and nutrition during and in the aftermath of natural disasters and shocks (SDG 2.1).
  • Strategic outcome 2: The social protection system at the federal and provincial levels provides the populations most in need, especially women, adolescent girls and children, with improved and sustained access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food by 2022 (SDG 2.1).
  • Strategic outcome 3: The entire population, especially children under 5, adolescent girls and women of reproductive age, has improved nutrition in line with national targets for 2025 (SDG 2.2).
  • Strategic outcome 4: Communities in disaster prone districts have more resilient food systems and development gains are better protected by disaster risk management systems at all levels by 2022 (SDG 2.4).
  • Strategic outcome 5: Federal and provincial systems have strengthened capabilities for providing food security and essential services by 2022 (SDG 17.9)

Advanced search

  • MEET OUR TEAM
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • Events – Partnerships

Logo

Pakistan’s nuclear command and control system is considered to be sophisticated and balanced. It has civilian and military involvement, checks and balances between the participating institutions, and a clear division of responsibility between the institutions. The system is based on a three-tier structure: The National Command Authority (NCA), the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), and the three services’ strategic forces commands.

Under the military government of General Musharraf , on 02 February 2000, the National Security Council approved the establishment of the National Command Authority (NCA) the highest decision-making body controlling nuclear command and control system.

The NCA is responsible for nuclear policy formulation and exercises employment and development control over all strategic nuclear forces and strategic organizations. It includes formulating policies, deploying the strategic forces, coordinating the activities of all strategic organizations, negotiating arms control/disarmament, overseeing the implementation of export controls, and safeguarding nuclear assets and sites

NCA further consists of two committees and a division; an Employment Control Committee and a Development Control Committee , as well as the Strategic Plans Division which acts as its Secretariat.

Read More: Shaheen-III Medium Range Ballistic Missile: Pakistan’s effort

Employment Control Committee

It is chaired by the head of the Government (Prime Minister) and includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs as its deputy Chairperson. It also consists of the defense minister, Interior Minister, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), tri-Services Chiefs, Director-General of Strategic Plans Division (Secretary), and other technical advisers (NSA, etc.), as required by the Chairperson.

It is responsible for policy-making during peacetime and deployment of strategic forces during wartime, making recommendations on the evolution of nuclear doctrine, establishing the hierarchy of command and the policy for authorizing the use of nuclear weapons, and establishing the guidelines for an effective command and control system to safeguard against accidental or unauthorized use.

Development Control Committee

It is also chaired by the head of Government and includes CJCSC as its deputy chairperson, tri-Services Chiefs, Director-General of Strategic Plans Division, and representatives of the strategic1organizations and, the scientific community.

This Committee controls the development of strategic assets. exercising technical, financial, and administrative control over the strategic organizations involved in the nuclear weapons program, and overseeing the development of strategic weapons programs.

Strategic Plans Division

It is headed by a three-star army general officer. It is established in the Joint Services Headquarters under the CJCSC to act as the Secretariat for the NCA and perform functions relating to planning, coordination, and establishment of a reliable command, control, communication, computers, and intelligence network (C4I).

It is responsible for formulating policy options (nuclear policy, strategy, and doctrine) for the NCA, implementing the NCA’s decisions, drafting strategic and operational plans for the deployment of strategic forces. Moreover, the SPD carries out the day-to-day management of Pakistan’s strategic forces, coordinates the activities of the different strategic organizations involved in the nuclear weapons program, and oversees budgetary, administrative, and security matters.

The SPD has eight directorates—including the Operations and Planning Directorate, the Computerized, Control, Command, Communication, Information, Intelligence and Surveillance Directorate (C4ISD), Strategic Weapons Development Directorate, and the Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs Directorate, Security division, which has a 25,000 strong force charged with guarding and protecting Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.

Read More: Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter jet for developing countries

The Services’ Strategic Forces Command

The Services Strategic Forces Command is raised from all the three services (Army, Navy, and Airforce), which all have their respective strategic force commands. It is responsible for daily and tactical operational control of nuclear weapon delivery systems (the NCA is still responsible for overall strategic operational control). This operational control includes technical, training, and administrative control over missiles and delivery systems that would be used to deliver nuclear weapons.

Army Strategic Forces Command (ASFC)

  • It Commands all land-based strategic nuclear forces with an estimated number of 12,000–15,000 persons.
  • It has 60+ Surface-To-Surface Missile Launchers, 30 Ghauri Nuclear Medium Range Ballistic Missiles, 30+ Nuclear Short Range Ballistic Missiles: Ghaznavi, Abdali, Nasr series.
  • Nuclear Ground Launch Cruise Missile: Babur

Air Force Strategic Command (AFSC )

It operates the aircraft capable of delivering nuclear warheads. Moreover, AFSC operates all the air launched nuclear weapons. It mainly consists of F-16A/B/C/D and Mirage 5 combat aircrafts. Pakistan intends to incorporate the dual-capable Ra’ad Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) onto the JF-17 in order to allow the newer aircraft to eventually take over the nuclear strike role. Pakistan is getting about 36 J-10CE fighter jets from China. It is assumed that Raad ALCM may be fitted with newly acquired J-10CE fighter jets.

Naval Strategic Force Command (NSFC)

NSFC was formally established on May 19, 2012, and has worked to develop a sea-based nuclear deterrent, which guarantees Pakistan’s second-strike capability. On January 9, 2017, ISPR announced that Pakistan had successfully launched its first successful test-fire of submarine-launched cruise missile SLCM (Babur-3), providing Pakistan with the second-strike capability. Presently, Pakistan Navy does not own a nuclear-powered submarine.

Pakistan Navy, however, has three (3) French-built Agosta 90B-class submarines that are powered by diesel-electric engines. The Pakistan Navy is likely to place nuclear-tipped cruise missiles on these submarines. Moreover, Pakistan signed a deal with China to buy eight Chinese Type 039C diesel-electric attack submarines that can be equipped with nuclear weapons.

Presently, Pakistan is capable to strike its adversary by land, air, and sea. The nuclear triad enhances Pakistan’s retaliatory capability or assured second-strike proficiency. Undeniably, the assured second-strike capability stabilizes and endures nuclear deterrence stability in a complex cum volatile strategic environment.

' src=

Syed Ali Abbas

Syed Ali Abbas is a Research Assistant at the Center for International Strategic Studies Islamabad. He tweets @smalinaqvi05.

  • Syed Ali Abbas https://defensetalks.com/author/syed-ali-abbas/ Importance of regional cooperation to counter Islamic State Khorasan (ISKP)
  • Syed Ali Abbas https://defensetalks.com/author/syed-ali-abbas/ Iran's Missiles: Fateh-110 Short Range Ballistic Missile
  • Syed Ali Abbas https://defensetalks.com/author/syed-ali-abbas/ Pakistan's Missiles: Nasr Short Range Ballistic Missile
  • Syed Ali Abbas https://defensetalks.com/author/syed-ali-abbas/ Legacy of Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Pakistan’s establishment worried about india’s nuclear arsenal, u.s. strategic command nominee ready to deal with changing world, u.s-korea joint statement on the extended deterrence strategy, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Stay in touch

From military technologies to geopolitical tensions, we provide comprehensive coverage and expert insights to help you navigate the complex landscape of defense and security. Subscribe to our newsletter:

Strategic Plans Division (SPD)

A backgrounder.

Nuclear Threat Initiative

OTHER NAME: Strategic Planning Directorate; Combat Development Directorate (CDD); General Headquarters (GHQ)

LOCATION: Islamabad, Pakistan

SUBORDINATE TO: President of Pakistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan

SIZE: 50 officers

FACILITY STATUS: Active

The command-and-control reforms of 1999 to 2001 established the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) as the secretariat of the National Command Authority (NCA). In this role, the SPD administers NCA policies over all of Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs. Agencies administered by the SPD include the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), and the National Development Complex (NDC).

The SPD exercises significant administrative authority over the research, development, production, and manufacturing of Pakistan’s ballistic and cruise missile arsenal. The International Institute for Strategic Studies also notes that the composition of the SPD, which is headed by an army three-star general, suggests a dominant army position in the SPD hierarchy.

Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

Personal tools

  • View source
  • View history
  • Community portal
  • Current events
  • Recent changes
  • Random page
  • What links here
  • Related changes
  • Special pages
  • Printable version
  • Permanent link
  • Browse properties
  • This page was last modified on 29 October 2018, at 12:06.
  • This page has been accessed 795 times.

strategic planning division pakistan

Institutionalizing Nuclear Confidence Building Measures between India and Pakistan

By  haleema saadia  •  dr. ladhu r. choudhary, in south asia.

  • November 15, 2023

strategic planning division pakistan

Originally published in South Asian Voices

The absence of an institutionalized Nuclear Confidence-Building Measures (NCBMs) regime between India and Pakistan is an obstacle to the effective management of crises between these two nuclear-armed neighbors. Instances like the 2019  Pulwama-Balakot  crisis and the 2022 accidental BrahMos missile  launch  underscore the critical role that NCBMs could play in diffusing tensions and preventing future crises. Against this backdrop, the establishment of a robust institutionalized NCBMs regime becomes paramount to ensuring that mechanisms for communication, transparency, and restraint are firmly in place.

The institutionalization of NCBMs entails two key factors. First, it requires the establishment of dedicated agencies with adequate resources and mandates to facilitate communication and cooperation for building confidence and trust between hostile nuclear states. Second, these dedicated organizations would require standard operational principles and procedures, including protocols for communication and information-sharing. This is necessary to transform existing ad-hoc NCBMs into an integrated system of organizations with specified roles and responsibilities as envisioned in the  Lahore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) .

The establishment of a robust institutionalized NCBMs regime becomes paramount to ensuring that mechanisms for communication, transparency, and restraint are firmly in place.

Existing NCBMs Framework

India and Pakistan have a checkered  history  of NCBMs. Both states started negotiating NCBMs a decade before their overt nuclearization in 1998 with the agreement to refrain from attacking each other’s nuclear facilities. Both countries have abided by the terms of this  agreement , which requires them to share the locations of their civil nuclear facilities each calendar year. Post nuclearization, the  Lahore Declaration  and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 1999 provided a framework for eventual nuclear talks and led to agreements on  pre-notification  of the flight-testing of ballistic missiles and reducing the risk from  nuclear weapons accidents .

Yet, the NCBMs regime between India and Pakistan has much room to improve. The existing regime does not provide procedural details on how to implement the exchanged information, how to enforce violators’ liabilities, and how to create a feedback loop for building confidence. For instance, the Lahore Declaration  states  that both countries will consult each other ‘on security concepts and nuclear doctrines’ for developing comprehensive NCBMs and pledges a periodical review to make NCBM implementations more effective. However, a quarter century into this agreement, neither has a review mechanism been put in place, nor has any institutional framework been identified for this purpose.

Recent events, such as the Brahmos misfire incident, reveal a disjunction between the intended functionality of these NCBMs and real-world outcomes. This highlights the pressing need for an institutionalized approach to NCBMs aimed at addressing these limitations. In addition, new  technological advancements ,  doctrinal shifts  in both India and Pakistan since the Lahore MoU, and the ensuing Composite Dialogue necessitate a relook at the NCBMs regime. While the Composite Dialogue did bring about the negotiation of two successful NCBMs in 1997, it has broken down multiple times in the past decade, and the working group on NCBMs has not met since 2012. Institutionalization of India and Pakistan’s NCBMs framework will help in this process becoming entirely redundant.

strategic planning division pakistan

A Way Forward

New Delhi and Islamabad can institutionalize their NCBMs in three ways. First, the two countries can review their existing communication links as per the Lahore Declaration. Even though they had agreed to set up cooperative consultative mechanisms to monitor the implementation of NCBMs, they should create an institutionalized framework for communication in order to strengthen the current NCBMs regime by negotiating more agreements (in addition to improving the implementation of existing measures), to constrain escalation, and to control the ongoing  arms   race .   

Second, the institutionalization of NCBMs would require going beyond the engagement between the respective external and foreign affairs ministries and creating contacts between other stakeholders within each country. On addressing dangerous military posturing, NCBMs engagement between organizations of Pakistan’s missile research and development program and India’s DRDO would be significant for controlling the escalation of emerging missile technology competition. Similarly, engagement between the Strategic Force Command (SFC) in India and Strategic Planning Division (SPD) in Pakistan would be crucial for conceptualizing and operationalizing the NCBMs. This would facilitate wider discussions and generate greater institutional buy-in for implementing existing agreements and generating new ideas for the NCBMs.

By setting up dedicated institutions for NCBMs, India and Pakistan could eventually take steps toward formally setting up Nuclear Risk Reduction Centers ( NRRCs ), like those established by the United States and Russia. Operated around the clock and staffed by military officers trained in nuclear risk reduction, those NRRCs facilitated the exchange of information on missile launches, nuclear tests, and other activities that could be mistaken for hostile actions. In the India-Pakistan context, institutionalized NCBMs may involve the creation of dedicated organizations tasked with overseeing CBMs, as well as the development of specific protocols or procedures for implementing them. As both states become more accustomed to engaging in nuclear-related dialogue and cooperation, this can help build trust and promote greater transparency and predictability.

Third, like the DGMO  hotline , both countries need to operationalize an emergency communication mechanism. For instance, as per the  pre-notification agreement , both parties have agreed to  provide advance notification of the ballistic missile flight test  through their respective High Commissions. Unfortunately, this agreement does not cover cruise missiles, which is the reason India does not share pre-flight notifications of Brahmos missile tests. However, after the Brahmos missile misfired, India still did not notify Pakistan and failed to establish communication. This was a great opportunity to put the existing hotlines to use. Had India done so in a timely manner, it would have assuaged Pakistani concerns. Even more worrisome is that after more than a year after the accidental missile firing, India has still not been able  to develop SOPs  to prevent future repetition.

The emerging threats of disruptive and dual-use technologies, as well as the nuclear-cyber interface, demand strong NCBM regimes and the corresponding institutions to deal with them.

The Brahmos missile incident underscored the need for institutionalized NCBMs between New Delhi and Islamabad rather than ad-hoc measures that are implemented in specific contexts and suspended due to crises. Institutionalized NCBMs would not only enhance the degree of trust, transparency, and sustainability between the two rivals but also reduce uncertainties, unpredictability, and irresponsibility. Institutionalizing NCBMs ensures their functioning during crises.

Moreover, the emerging threats of disruptive and dual-use technologies, as well as the nuclear-cyber interface, demand strong NCBM regimes and the corresponding institutions to deal with them.  India and Pakistan may need to assess how  disruptive technologies  could undermine the existing NCBMs regime. For example,  AI integration  with weapon systems can lead to  challenges  within escalation management and nuclear risk reduction. Cyber-attacks on the command-and-control centers during a crisis could lead to disastrous consequences as well. Institutionalized NCBMs may also help the two countries understand the  nuclear-cyber  interface, where cyberattacks could target nuclear systems, and jointly develop norms and safeguards. Similarly, the institutionalization of NCBMs can help in the regular updating of protocols and the incorporation of technology features in bilateral NCBM monitoring mechanisms.

The institutionalization of NCBMs presents technical and political challenges. Pakistan and India will have to show political will and compromise in order to make any meaningful progress towards nuclear stability. As two nuclear armed neighbors, neither Islamabad nor New Delhi can afford to leave things to chance and continue to exist without any bilateral dialogue.

A formalized and institutionalized NCBMs regime between Pakistan and India is not only a pragmatic necessity but also a proactive step toward promoting stability, trust, and responsible behavior in the region. Such a regime would lay the groundwork for effective communication, crisis management, and risk reduction, and contribute significantly to regional security and global non-proliferation efforts.

Recent & Related

strategic planning division pakistan

About Stimson

Transparency.

  • 202.223.5956
  • 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
  • Fax: 202.238.9604
  • 202.478.3437
  • Caiti Goodman
  • Communications Dept.
  • News & Announcements

Copyright The Henry L. Stimson Center

Privacy Policy

Subscription Options

Research areas trade & technology security & strategy human security & governance climate & natural resources pivotal places.

  • Asia & the Indo-Pacific
  • Middle East & North Africa

Publications & Project Lists South Asia Voices Publication Highlights Global Governance Innovation Network Updates Mekong Dam Monitor: Weekly Alerts and Advisories Middle East Voices Updates 38 North: News and Analysis on North Korea

  • All News & Analysis (Approx Weekly)
  • 38 North Today (Frequently)
  • Only Breaking News (Occasional)
  • Pakistan federal departments and agencies
  • Nuclear safety and security

Strategic Plans Division Force

  • View history

Strategic Plans Division Force (or SPD Force ) is Pakistan's agency responsible for protection of Pakistan's nuclear and strategic assets. [2] [3] It is security arm of Strategic Plans Division , [4] which oversees Pakistan's strategic organizations such as , KRL , PAEC , NESCOM and SUPARCO and is different from Pakistan Army's strategic forces.

  • 2 Organization
  • 3 Special Response Force
  • 5 Director Generals SPD
  • 6 References

The force's primary task is provision of security to country's strategic infrastructure such as nuclear [5] and missile research and production sites, space installations etc.

Organization [ ]

The force is commanded by serving Lieutenant General of Pakistan Army who acts as Director General of Strategic Plans Division . [6] There are four security directorates for each strategic organization and each directorate is led by Brigadier. [7]

Initially, manpower for security of country's strategic assets was provided by Pakistan's Armed Forces [7] but now SPD has started hiring its own personnel. The selection standards in terms of intelligence and physical standards for these candidates are even higher than army due to very sensitive nature of their duty. At start, these recruits were trained at Pakistan Army's training centers [7] but since 2012 SPD has been training these recruits in its own academy known as Pakistan’s Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security (PCENS) [8] [9] located in Chakri near Rawalpindi. [10] This training facility is modeled on US National Nuclear Security Administration 's academy. [7]

Special Response Force [ ]

Special Response Force (SRF) is the special forces unit [11] of SPD Force with the strength of 1000 personnel. [12]

Weapons [ ]

SPD Force's primary weapons are G3 rifles and Type 56 and Type 81 assault rifles.

Director Generals SPD [ ]

References [ ].

  • ↑ Release, Press. "No PR136/2012-ISPR" . ISPR . https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=2080 . Retrieved 23 October 2015 .  
  • ↑ Release, Press. "No PR71/2013-ISPR" . ISPR . https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=2080 . Retrieved 23 October 2015 .  
  • ↑ confidence, COAS (November 13, 2015). "COAS reposes full confidence in Pakistan’s nuclear security regime" . ARY News . http://arynews.tv/en/coas-reposes-full-confidence-in-pakistans-nuclear-security-regime/ . Retrieved 26 March 2016 .  
  • ↑ retires, kidwai (December 18, 2013). "Kidwai to retire as head of Pakistan's n-programme caretakers" . The Express Tribune . http://tribune.com.pk/story/647307/lt-gen-khalid-kidwai-to-retire-as-head-of-pakistans-nuclear-programme-caretakers/ . Retrieved 26 March 2016 .  
  • ↑ Join, Trainees (November 7, 2011). "700 trainees join SPD security force" . The Nation . http://nation.com.pk/national/07-Nov-2011/700-trainees-join-SPD-security-force . Retrieved 26 March 2016 .  
  • ↑ Training, Abottabad (April 23, 2013). "1,000 SPD Security Soldiers complete training in Abbotabad centers" . Samaa . http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2013/04/1-000-spd-security-soldiers-complete-training-in-abbotabad-centers/ . Retrieved 26 March 2016 .  
  • ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Nuclear Learning in Pakistan Since 1998" . School of Social Sciences, University of Western Australia . http://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/files/4794827/Salik_Naeem_Ahmad_2015.pdf . Retrieved 8 November 2015 .  
  • ↑ Visits, COAS. "ISPR Hilal Magazine - Nuclear Security is a Sacred Responsibility: COAS" . ISPR . http://www.hilal.gov.pk/index.php/grids-preview/2014-09-09-14-38-33/item/1786-nuclear-security-is-a-sacred-responsibility-coas . Retrieved 17 April 2016 .  
  • ↑ visit, coas. "COAS expresses confidence in Pakistan's nuclear security" . DAWN . http://www.dawn.com/news/1219461 . Retrieved 17 April 2016 .  
  • ↑ Release, Press. "INAUGURATION CEREMONY of SPD TRAINING ACADEMY" . ISPR . https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&date=2012/4/13 . Retrieved 23 October 2015 .  
  • ↑ Ceremony, SSF. "Wing Award Ceremony (SRF), Passing Out Parade (SSBC) & Expo at SPD Training Academy Rawalpindi" . https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/awpreview/pDetails.aspx?pType=PressRelease&pID=165 . Retrieved 26 March 2016 .  
  • ↑ Release, Press. "No PR99/2013-ISPR" . ISPR . https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=2325 . Retrieved 8 November 2015 .  
  • ↑ "Lt Gen Sarfraz Sattar appointed SPD DG" . http://dailytimes.com.pk/115078/lt-gen-sarfraz-sattar-appointed-spd-dg/ .  
  • 1 List of equipment of the Royal Danish Army

Election 2024 Party Position

strategic planning division pakistan

  • Entertainment
  • Health