Pakistan Armed Forces Band

The Pakistan Armed Forces Band is a joint military administrative and staff service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces— since it is not restricted to the army but service members of other branches of Pakistan's military are also its part.^{: 111 [2]}

Pakistan Armed Forces Band
Badge of Pakistan Army
Active	1952; 73 years ago (1952)
Country	Pakistan
Branch	Pakistan Army  Pakistan Navy  Pakistan Air Force  Pakistan Marines
Type	Combined and combat service support
Role	Administrative and staffing oversight.
Size	Varies due to other branches
HQ/Garrison	Abbottabad Cantonment in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Nickname(s)	BAND
Colors Identification	Red and Black   [1]
Anniversaries	1952
Engagements	Military history of Pakistan
Decorations	Military Decorations of Pakistan military
Website	School of Music
Commanders
Director	Maj. Ghulam Ali
Notable commanders	Lt-Col. Abdul Wahab Khan Capt. Donald Keeling
Insignia
War Flag

The Pakistan Armed Forces Band in Moscow in 2011.

The education on music theory and qualification is provided by the Army School of Music, which is headquartered in Abbottabad in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.^[3]

Overview

In 1952, the British Army's Royal Military School of Music established the Army School of Music in Cherat with Captain Donald Keeling becoming its first director and chief instructor which he remained in this capacity until 1954.^{: 281 [4][3]} The unit was reorganized under British Army's Captain Baker who relocated in Lahore until 1956 when it was shifted to Abbottabad as its current headquarter.^[3]

The Pakistan Armed Forces Band is not restricted to the army although the training is provided by the Army School of Music but are drawn from the other branches of the Pakistan Armed Forces.^{: 111 [2]} The army graduates lead the formation of the band followed by the navy and air force— they are frequently the center of attention at military ceremonies and military parades in Pakistan.^{: 111 [2]} The band's musical traditions are rooted in its connections and heritage from the British Army since army officers from the British Army were its first directors and instructors.^[3] The unit is commanded by an officer with the rank of Major who serves as its director.^[5][6][7]

The band's activities include its participation in the Pakistan Day Parade and the arrival of the state leaders of other nations on invitation by the President of Pakistan.^[3] The band has performed in many military festivals around the world, most recently in China and Russia under the banner Pakistan Tri-Services Military Band.^{: 39 [8][9]}

See also

• Central Military Band of the People's Liberation Army of China
• Military Brass Band of the Commandant Regiment of the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan
• Omani Royal Guard Military Band