Strategic Plans Division (SPD)
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
A backgrounder
OTHER NAME: Strategic Planning Directorate; Combat Development Directorate (CDD); General Headquarters (GHQ)
LOCATION: Islamabad, Pakistan
SUBORDINATE TO: President of Pakistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan
SIZE: 50 officers
FACILITY STATUS: Active
The command-and-control reforms of 1999 to 2001 established the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) as the secretariat of the National Command Authority (NCA). In this role, the SPD administers NCA policies over all of Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programs. Agencies administered by the SPD include the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), and the National Development Complex (NDC).
The SPD exercises significant administrative authority over the research, development, production, and manufacturing of Pakistan’s ballistic and cruise missile arsenal. The International Institute for Strategic Studies also notes that the composition of the SPD, which is headed by an army three-star general, suggests a dominant army position in the SPD hierarchy.