Its existence and constitutional role are protected by the Constitution of

Pakistan, where its role is to serve as the land-based uniform service branch of
the Pakistan Armed Forces. The Constitution of Pakistan establishes the principal
land warfare uniform branch in the Pakistan Armed Forces as its states:

The Armed Forces shall, under the directions of the Federal Government, defend
Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in
aid of civil power when called upon to do so.

After the incident involving Gracey's disobedience, there was a strong belief that
a native commander of the Pakistan army should be appointed, which resulted in the
Government of Pakistan rejecting the British Army Board's replacement of Gen.
Gracey upon his replacement, in 1951.: 
34 
[34] Eventually, Prime Minister Liaquat
Ali Khan approved the promotion paper of Maj-Gen. Iftikhar Khan as the first native
commander-in-chief, a graduate of the Imperial Defence College in England, but died
in an aviation accident en route to Pakistan from the United Kingdom.[35]

After the death of Maj-Gen. Iftikhar, there were four senior major-generals in the
army in the race of promotion but the most junior, Maj-Gen. Ayub Khan, whose name
was not included in the promotion list was elevated to the promotion that resulted
in a lobbying provided by Iskandar Mirza, the Defense Secretary in Ali Khan
administration.[36] A tradition of appointment based on favoritism and
qualification that is still in practice by the civilian Prime Ministers in
Pakistan.[36] Ayub was promoted to the acting rank of full general to command the
army as his predecessors Frank Messervy and Douglas Gracey were performing the duty
of commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Army in the acting rank of general, the
neighbouring country India's first commanders-in-chief were same in this context.

The department of the army under General Ayub Khan steered the army's needs towards
heavy focus and dependence towards the imported hardware acquired from the United
States, in spite of acquiring it from the domestic industry, under the Military
Assistance Advisory Group attached to Pakistan in 1954–56.: 
36 
[33] In 1953, the 6th
Infantry Division was raised and disbanded the 6th Division in 1956 followed by the
disbandment of the 9th Infantry Division as the American assistance was available
only for one armored and six infantry divisions.: 
36 
[33] During this time, an army
combat brigade team was readily made available by Gen. Ayub Khan to deploy to
support the American Army's fighting troops in the Korean war.: 
270 
[37]

Working as cabinet minister in Bogra administration, Gen. Ayub's impartiality was

greatly questioned by country's politicians and drove Pakistan's defence policy
towards the dependence on the United States when the country becoming the party of
the CENTO and the SEATO, the U.S. active measures against the expansion of the
global communism.: 
60 
[38][39]

In 1956, the 1st Armored Division in Multan was established, followed by the
Special Forces in Cherat under the supervision of the U.S Army's Special Forces.: 
55 
[32]: 
133 
[40] Under Gen. Ayub's control, the army had eradicated the British
influence but invited the American expansion and had reorganized the East Bengal
Regiment in East Bengal, the Frontier Force Regiment in Northern Pakistan, Kashmir
Regiment in Kashmir, and Frontier Corps in the Western Pakistan.[6] The order of
precedence change from Navy–Army–Air Force to Army–Navy-Air Force, with army being
the most senior service branch in the structure of the Pakistani military.: 
98 
[38]

In 1957, the I Corps was established and headquarter was located in Punjab.: 
55 [32]
Between 1956 and 1958, the schools of infantry and tactics,[41] artillery,[42]
ordnance,[43] armoured,[44] medical, engineering, services, aviation,[45] and
several other schools and training centers were established with or without U.S.
participation.: 
60 
[38]

Military takeovers in Pakistan and second war with India (1958–1969)

— Constitution of Pakistan[23]