Women in the Pakistan Armed Forces

Women in the Pakistan Armed Forces are the female officers who serve in the Pakistan Armed Forces.^[1][2] Women have been taking part in Pakistani military since 1947, after the establishment of Pakistan. In 2006, the first women fighter pilot batch joined the combat aerial mission command of PAF.^[3][4] The Pakistan Navy prohibits women from serving in the combat branch. Rather, they are appointed and serve in operations involving military logistics, staff and senior administrative offices, particularly in the regional and central headquarters.^[5] There was a rise in the number of women applying for the combat branch of PAF in 2013.^[6]

Women can't join the armed forces as ordinary soldiers, airmen or sailors; these posts are only open to men; women can only get commission. Total 4,000 women have served the armed forces until 2017.^[7]

In the 1930s and early 1940s, Indian Muslim women who would go on to opt for Pakistan played an extremely vital role in the success of the Pakistan Movement. The founding mothers of Pakistan include Fatima Jinnah, Begum Ra'ana, and Shireen Jinnah.