National Defence University (Pakistan)

National Defence University

Urdu: جامعہ قومی دفاعِ پاکستان
Seal of the NDU
Former name	National Defence College
Motto	Arabic: عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ (al-Quran (30:96:5))
Motto in English	"taught man which he knew not"
Type	Military
Established	28 May 1970 (1970-05-28)
Affiliation	Pakistan Command and Staff College Pakistan Naval War College PAF Air War College
Academic affiliation	Higher Education Commission
Chancellor	President of Pakistan
President	Lieutenant general Babar Iftikhar
Vice-president	Rear admiral Javaid Iqbal
Dean	Professor Dr. Arshi Saleem Hashmi
Students	4,000
Undergraduates	3000
Postgraduates	500
Doctoral students	100
Location	Islamabad , Islamabad Capital Territory , Pakistan 33°43′19″N 73°01′20″E / 33.72194°N 73.02222°E / 33.72194; 73.02222
Campus	Urban
Language	English, Urdu
Colors	Green, White, Khaki
Website	www.ndu.edu.pk

The National Defence University (NDU), formerly introduced as Army War Course (1963–70),^[a] the National Defence College (1970–2007), is the military university of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan focused on military education and training for the armed forces, including Pakistan military forces and two hundred foreign participants.^[1] Formerly established on 28 May 1970 at Rawalpindi, its academic principles are focused on command instructions, national security, military strategy, and war studies among other specified academic disciplines.^[2][3] It is one of the oldest military education and training institutes in the country with additional enrollments reserved for the civil servants.^[4]

Major general, then-general Abdul Hamid Khan served as its first commandant, while brigadier Muhammad Ahmed was appointed the first chief instructor.^[2] The president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan serves its chancellor while the chief of staff recommends appointment and the removal of its president, usually a three star armed officer.^[5][6] Nearly 44 years later of its establishment as Armed War Course, it was awarded the status of university after being recognised by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan on 5 February 2007 while the former Armed War Course (later re-designated as Armed War Forces Course) became one of its components.^[7][8]

The origin of the National Defence University is historically associated with major general, the then lieutenant general, Sahabzada Yaqub Khan and Command and Staff College who introduced Army War Course on 1 May 1963 to Command and Staff College after he was asked in 1962 to establish a separate and a single purpose war course to that college. It initially comprised twelve participants (known as students and faculty members), including two from armed forces – one from navy and other from air force. With the continuation of war studies, its participants were increased to sixteen in 1965. However, staff college was left without war course faculty following the 1965 conflict between India and Pakistan. The discontinuation of the faculty gained attention of the authorities, and the National Defence College (NDC), a stand-alone institute was established on 28 May 1970 at Lalkurti area of Rawalpindi Cantonment. It was housed in the Ayub Hall of the old National Assembly Building.^[2] The institute was later shifted to its permanent building where it worked for nearly 25 years.

During that 25 years, the college was re-designated multiple times, including in 1971 when the Army War Course was awarded the status of the Armed Forces War Course to serve for armed forces than only army. The number of faculty participants were increased from sixteen to twenty, with three officers from navy and air force.

To award the officers MSc degree in war studies, the prime minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto signed an order in 1975 to affiliate the NDC with Federal University of Islamabad (in modern-day Quaid-i-Azam University). Five years later of affiliation with Quaid university, military dictator Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the then 6th president of Pakistan signed an order in February 1980 to shift the college to the capital city Islamabad for its space expansion. Following that order, it was shifted to the new building on 17 August 1995.

The government of Pakistan upgraded it to university in 2007, while the Naval War College gained the status of Armed Forces War College, which is now a component of the National Defence University. As of March 2007, the NDU acts as a nation university in the country, and the two years later of its upgradation, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee redesignated both Army War Course, Armed Forces War Course, and National Defence Course faculties into one single component of the university, which is now known as National Security and War Course.^[2]

The parliament of Pakistan introduced an act in 2011 titled National Defence University, Act 2011, outlining the academic, administration, and financial amendments, in addition to establishment of the NDU. It was formerly signed by the president on 14 May 2011 after majlis-ash-shura such as the National Assembly and the Senate passed the bill. It functions under that act, however employing officers, teacher and other staff members are governed by the Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002. The act restrict government and other authorities to qualify or disqualify the officers, teachers, students, or any other participant associated with the university, on the grounds of their "gender, religion, race, creed, class, colour, or domicile".^[6]

The act identifies the chancellor, president, dean, commandant (director general), chairperson (chief instructor), registrar, controller examination, director administration and director finance as the principal officers and also determines their powers and the functions.

The act allows the president of Pakistan to act as the chancellor, while the president of the university is recommended by the chief of Army Staff for the final approval of the chancellor. If the post of university president falls vacant due to any uncertainty such as health complications or death, it is not assumed by the other members with an additional charge of the president. The post is generally assumed for the term of five years, however the incumbent may be terminated if recommended by the army chief.^[6]

Since its formation as a faculty and then college in Rawalpindi, it was shifted several times from one building to other, including the old national assembly near Rawalpindi Cantonment until it was permanently shifted to Islamabad in 1995. The main building is now located in Sector E-9, Islamabad near Margalla Hills.^[1]

The emblem (generally identified as logo, although the official description of emblem does not mention "logo") of the NDU is circular in form with a green field bordered in gold, carrying the university's name in white capital letters. At its centre is an Islamic shield divided into the three service colours of the Pakistan Armed Forces: blue for the Air Force, red for the Army, and navy blue for the Navy. Superimposed on the shield is a pen and a sword crossed diagonally, suggesting the union of knowledge and military strength. Behind these elements appears a stylised wheel, representing continuity, discipline, and progress. The shield is encircled by golden wreaths, a traditional emblem of honour and achievement, while the star and crescent at the top suggests the national identity of Pakistan.^[9]

عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ ٥ [Taught man that which he knew not]

The emblem incorporates the university's Quranic verse: "taught man that which he knew not" (Al-Quran, 96:5), denoting the institution's role in the advancement of learning alongside professional military education.^[9]

The NDU is headed by the chancellor, the president of Pakistan, and administered by the president of NDU, a three-star military officer (lieutenant general or equivalent) who serves as the chief executive and commandant of the institution. He is assisted by a deputy president (a two-star officer). The university is organized into three major academic and research divisions: the Faculty of Security Studies (FSS), the Faculty of Contemporary Studies (FCS), and the Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA). Each division is overseen by a dean or director general, and houses several colleges, departments, or research branches. Together, these units integrate military education, policy research, and academic studies under a unified framework.^[10]

The faculty is headed by a dean, provides professional military education for senior officers.^[11] It is comprised of:

• • National Security College – conducts courses on national security policy, strategy, and statecraft for senior military and civil officers.
  • Armed Forces War College – offers higher military education at the operational and strategic levels, preparing officers for senior command and staff positions.
  • Allied Officers Division (AOD) – trains officers from allied and partner nations, promoting military diplomacy and international cooperation.^[12]

The Faculty of Contemporary Studies, also led by a dean, delivers academic programs in social sciences and policy studies.^[13] Its departments include:

• • Department of Government and Public Policy (GPP) – focuses on governance, public administration, and policy analysis.
  • Department of Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) – specializes in conflict resolution, mediation, and peacebuilding.
  • Department of Strategic Studies (SS) – engages in the study of strategy, defence policy, and international security.
  • Department of Leadership and Management Studies (LMS) – provides training in organizational leadership, management sciences, and project management.
  • Department of International Relations (IR) – covers global politics, diplomacy, and foreign policy analysis.^[13]

The Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis is headed by a director general (a two-star officer) and functions as the premier think tank of NDU.^[14] It consists of several specialized divisions:

• • Global and Regional Studies – analyzing international and regional strategic trends.
  • Internal Security Studies – focusing on domestic security challenges and counter-terrorism.
  • Defence and Strategic Studies – examining defence policies and strategic doctrines.
  • Coordination and Collaboration – overseeing academic and institutional partnerships.
  • Research and Publication – producing academic and policy-oriented publications.
  • Keystone, Capstone and Pinnacle Program – advanced courses for senior leadership and policymakers.
  • Centre of Excellence for International Law – dedicated to research and training in international legal frameworks.
  • Sahabzada Yaqub Khan Library – the university's central research library and archival resource.^[15]

The NDU maintains several constituent colleges that provide professional military education to officers from different branches of the Pakistan Armed Forces. These colleges operate under the academic umbrella of NDU and are accredited to award postgraduate qualifications. The constituent colleges are:

Command and Staff College, Quetta – the premier institution for training mid-career Pakistan Army officers, preparing them for command and staff appointments at the operational level.^[16]

Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore – the principal higher education institution of the Pakistan Navy, focusing on maritime strategy, naval operations, and leadership.^[17]

School of Artillery, Nowshera – the army's central training establishment for artillery officers, responsible for professional gunnery, firepower coordination, and tactical employment of artillery forces.

The university maintains a central library that houses both print and digital resources. Its print collection consists of approximately 70,000 volumes, including books, back issues of periodicals, professional journals, government publications, reports, and newspapers. In addition, the library provides access to the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan's National Digital Library, which offers thousands of electronic books and scholarly journals.^[18]

The library also operates a Digital section, which serves as a resource centre for selected books, periodicals, newspaper articles, university publications, and links to international databases. It maintains digital newspaper clipping files on subjects of topical interest. In addition to the main collection, the university runs a fiction library, catering to general reading, and each college within NDU maintains its own seminar library to support specialized academic needs.^[18]

The NDU operates the National War Gaming Centre (NWGC), which is equipped with the joint theater level simulation (JTLS) system, a NATO-standard computer-assisted war-gaming platform. The centre is used by the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force to conduct strategic and operational-level exercises. It provides a simulated environment for war planning, military operations other than war, and disaster management scenarios.^[18]

The NDU maintains several halls and auditoria that are used for teaching, research events, and professional training.^[18]

• Auditorium – The main auditorium serves as a venue for combined lectures, discussions, and extracurricular activities. It can accommodate around 560 participants and is fitted with audiovisual facilities to support large gatherings.^[18]

• NS Hall – Operated by the Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA), it is used for seminars, international conferences, and workshops, including the National Security Workshop, the National Media Workshop, and senior professional development courses.^[18]

• National Defence Hall (ND Hall) – it is primarily used by the Armed Forces War College for academic instruction. It hosts lectures, panel discussions, study sessions, and student presentations.^[18]

• ISSRA Hall – It is reserved for ISSRA's in-house academic activities, such as local seminars, conferences, post-visit briefings, and exchanges with think tanks.^[18]

The Mapping section provides cartographic support for academic and training activities. It is responsible for producing maps required for courses and exercises.^[18]

The National Defence University's contemporary studies faculty award bachelor's, master of philosophy and doctorate degrees in various academic fields such as international relations, and public policy among others.^[4]

Faculty of Contemporary Studies

• ECONOMICS (ECO)
  • BS
  • M.Phill
  • Ph.D
• Leadership and Management Studies (LMS)^[19]
  • BS
  • M.Phil
  • MS-PM
  • Ph.D
• Government and Public Policy (GPP)
  • BS
  • M.Phill
  • Ph.D
• Strategic Studies (SS)
  • BS
  • M.Phill
  • Ph.D
• International Relations (IR)
  • BS
  • M.Phill
  • Ph.D
• Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS)
  • BS
  • M.Phill
  • Ph.D

The NDU's wing Institute for Strategic Studies, Research & Analysis (ISSRA) acts as a national think tank on national security matters, and is reportedly an internal part of the National Security Division, headed by a national security division secretary.^[20] Inputs are provided to the government and armed forces to maintains academic links with domestic and foreign think tanks and defence universities with which Pakistan shares friendly relations.^[21]

No.	President/Commandant		Term[22]
	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Term length
President of the National Defence University
1		Hameed Khan, AbdulLt Gen. Abdul Hameed Khan (1917–1984)	19 July 1970	7 December 1970	141 days
2		Chaudhri, Nasir AhmadMajor General Nasir Ahmad Chaudhri (1920–2010)	3 April 1972	19 July 1974	2 years, 107 days
3		Rahim Khan, M.Major General M. Rahim Khan	20 July 1974	31 August 1975	1 year, 42 days
4		O'Brian, Michael JohnAVM Michael John O'Brian (1928–1995)	1 September 1975	9 April 1976	221 days
5		Awan, Azmat B.Lt Gen. Azmat B. Awan	9 April 1976	30 October 1978	2 years, 204 days
6		Masood, AnwarMajor General Anwar Masood	1 October 1978	1 September 1979	335 days
7		Azim, EjazLt Gen. Ejaz Azim	10 September 1979	9 April 1980	212 days
8		Ahmed, NishatMajor General Nishat Ahmed	10 April 1980	20 June 1984	4 years, 71 days
9		Bokhari, S M HLt Gen. S M H Bokhari	21 June 1984	4 January 1988	3 years, 197 days
10		Safdar, MuhammadLt Gen. Muhammad Safdar (1934–2023)	5 January 1988	31 July 1989	1 year, 207 days
11		Zaidi, Zakir AliLt Gen. Zakir Ali Zaidi	1 August 1989	18 June 1990	321 days
12		Bhatti, RehmdilLt Gen. Rehmdil Bhatti	8 September 1990	9 February 1993	2 years, 154 days
13		Durrani, AsadLt Gen. Asad Durrani (born 1941)	10 February 1993	14 May 1993	93 days
14		Khan, Iftikhar AliLt Gen. Iftikhar Ali Khan (1941–2009)	15 May 1993	17 June 1993	33 days
15		Naqvi, Syed Tanveer HussainLt Gen. Syed Tanveer Hussain Naqvi	18 June 1994	31 January 1996	1 year, 227 days
16		Maqbool, MuhammadLt Gen. Muhammad Maqbool	1 February 1996	4 June 1998	2 years, 123 days
17		Ahmed, MahmudLt Gen. Mahmud Ahmed	5 June 1998	25 October 1998	142 days
18		Tirmizi, SalahuddinLt Gen. Salahuddin Tirmizi	25 October 1998	2 March 2000	1 year, 129 days
19		Zafar, Saeed UzLt Gen. Saeed Uz Zafar	13 March 2000	29 October 2000	230 days
20		Hassan, JavedLt Gen. Javed Hassan	30 October 2000	3 January 2004	3 years, 65 days
21		Ghazi, Tariq WaseemLt Gen. Tariq Waseem Ghazi	3 January 2004	16 October 2004	287 days
22		Hamid, ShahidLt Gen. Shahid Hamid	17 October 2004	4 November 2005	1 year, 18 days
23		Khan, Raza MuhammadLt Gen. Raza Muhammad Khan	7 November 2005	30 June 2007	1 year, 235 days
24		Khan, Muhammad HamidLt Gen. Muhammad Hamid Khan	1 July 2007	11 October 2009	2 years, 102 days
25		Yousaf, MuhammadLt Gen. Muhammad Yousaf	12 October 2009	15 September 2010	338 days
26		Farooq, Agha Muhammad UmerLt Gen. Agha Muhammad Umer Farooq	8 October 2010	21 July 2012	1 year, 287 days
27		Janjua, Nasser KhanLt Gen. Nasser Khan Janjua	30 July 2012	26 August 2013	1 year, 27 days
28		Ramday, Javed IqbalLt Gen. Javed Iqbal Ramday	26 August 2013	30 April 2015	1 year, 247 days
29		Hyder, Anwar AliLt Gen. Anwar Ali Hyder	1 May 2015	10 April 2016	345 days
30		Butt, Nazir AhmedLt Gen. Nazir Ahmed Butt	11 April 2016	19 December 2016	252 days
31		Akhtar, RizwanLt Gen. Rizwan Akhtar	20 December 2016	9 October 2017	293 days
32		Ehsan, MajidLt Gen. Majid Ehsan	24 October 2017	14 December 2018	1 year, 51 days
33		Riaz, AamerLt Gen. Aamer Riaz	15 December 2018	4 October 2019	293 days
34		Saeed, MuhammadLt Gen. Muhammad Saeed	28 November 2019	7 November 2021	1 year, 344 days
35		Mehmood, NaumanLt Gen. Nauman Mehmood	23 November 2021	24 April 2023	1 year, 152 days
36		Naseem Ahmed Khan, RahatLt Gen. Rahat Naseem Ahmed Khan	03 May 2023	30 November 2023	211 days
37		Ghafoor, AsifLt Gen. Asif Ghafoor	1 December 2023	20 December 2024	1 year, 291 days[23]
38		Ghafoor, AsifLt Gen. Babar Iftikhar	22 January 2025	Incubent	[24]

Throughout its history from a college to university, some of its alumni and faculty members became notable in academic, politics, military and many other varied fields.

Pakistani generals who attended the National Defence University

Ashfaq Parvez Kayani

Ehsan ul Haq

Raheel Sharif

Pakistani politicians who attended the National Defence University

Pervez Musharraf

Many Pakistani generals, including Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Ehsan ul Haq, and Raheel Sharif attended the National Defence University. Kayani graduated from National Defence College and also remained faculty member of the university.^[25] Ehsan ul Haq graduated from NDU and Command and Staff College, Quetta, an affiliated institute of the university.^[26] Raheel Sharif is among the other generals who attended the university.^[27]

Pakistani admirals who attended the National Defence University

Afzal Tahir

Amjad Khan Niazi

Zafar Mahmood Abbasi

In addition to Pakistani generals, some alumni from the naval department became notable in their respective fields. Admiral Afzal Tahir graduated from the National Defence College,^[28] while Shahid Karimullah, attended armed forces war course department of the National Defence College.^[29] Zafar Mahmood Abbasi is also an alumnus of the university^[30] while Amjad Khan Niazi graduated from NDU and Command and Staff College.^[31]

Musharraf, the 10th president of Pakistan graduated from the National Defence College and Command and Staff College, Quetta, an affiliated institute of NDU.^[32]

• NDU Journal is an annual feature of the university which is based on the research papers by the students, researchers, and policy makers. The publications provide ideas on issues of national security of Pakistan. Before an article is published in the journal, it is single peer reviewed.^[33]
  • Margalla Papers is biannual publication, concerning contemporary global politics, globalization, foreign policy, strategic alliance, economic partnerships, and regional organization. It also involves the role of United Nations peacekeeping, law of nations and global commons.^[34]
  • ISSRA Paper is an annual academic publication of Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA). It cover the issues relating governance, public policy, in addition to promotion of awareness to that issues. It is contributed by anyone, however articles are single peer-reviewed before they appear in journal.^[35]
    • NDU Monograph is a scholarly journal of ISSRA. It is contributed by the researchers on military issues and collaboration.^[36]
    • Strategic Thought is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA). It focuses on security and strategic studies, including topics such as foreign policy, defense planning, regional geopolitics, and national security. The journal publishes original research articles and policy analyses, aiming to bridge the gap between strategic practice and theory.^[37]
  • AFWC Journal is a journal of Armed Force War Course which publishes the public opinions contributed by the participants.^[38]
• The Journal of Contemporary Studies (JCS) is a biannual peer-reviewed academic journal published by the Faculty of Contemporary Studies (FCS). Established in 2012, it covers research in international relations, political science, security, and strategic studies, and publishes articles, book reviews, and scholarly documents in English.^[39]

• Military academies in Pakistan
• Pakistan Military Academy
• Pakistan Air Force Academy
• Air University Pakistan

• National Defence University FAQ at the official website