Pakistan Armed Forces Band

The Pakistan Armed Forces Band (پاکستان مسلح افواج بینڈ) or the Pakistan Tri-Services Military Band is a Pakistani musical group which was formed in 1947 in Islamabad. The band immediately played an important role for Pakistani soldiers in providing patriotic support during the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971. The band's musical traditions are derived in its connections and heritage from the British Empire, as well as Indian musical tradition. The members of the band, who are drawn from the 3 branches of the Pakistan Armed Forces, are frequently the center of attention at military ceremonies and military parades in Pakistan. It is made up of 78 members who are currently led by Major Ghulam Ali (born in 1967 in Chakwal)

It commonly participates in many international festivals all around the world. Other than the National Anthem of Pakistan and official hymns, the band performs national songs such as Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan and Aiy Puttar Hattan Tey Nahin Vikday.

A documentary film Band Baja Aur Pakistan was released in 2017. The film was first Pakistani documentary on marching bands, written by urdu short story writer Gulfam Ghauri.

Relationship with the Army School of Music
All musicians of the band are trained by the Pakistan Army School of Music (پاکستان آرمی اسکول آف موسیقی), which was founded in 1952 by Captain Donald Keeling, who was a military director from the United Kingdom. It has been based in Abbottabad since 1956 and has been linked with the Baloch Regimental Centre since 1965. The main purpose of the institute was to impart musical training officers and soldiers of the who want to join the band. It takes between five months up to nearly two years for a soldier to graduate from the school and join the armed forces band. It is currently under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Wahab Khan.

There are 5 main musical courses in the school of music, which include:


 * Band Master Course
 * Military Band Beginners Course
 * Military Band Advanced Course
 * Trumpeter's Training Course
 * Bugler's Training Course