Nadeem Ahmad
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Nadeem Ahmad, HI(M), SE, TBt, is a retired Pakistan Army
three-star general who is credited with planning and coordinating the relief and reconstruction efforts after the devastating earthquake of October 2005
firstly as head of military wing of Federal Relief Commission (FRC) and then under Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority
(ERRA). After retirement in May 2010, he was appointed Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), where he successfully managed the 2010 Pakistan floods
, the worst disaster in Pakistan's history, as well as the responses to the Hunza
landslide and Attabad Lake
crisis, and the Airblue crash
.
The general also served as the Director General of Anti-Narcotics Force
(ANF), Vice Chief of the General Staff (VCGS), and Commander of the I Strike Corps
at Mangla Cantt
, until his retirement in May 2010. Before retirement in May 2009, he was appointed as chairman of Special Support Group (SSG) for Internally displaced persons affected by wars in Swat
and Waziristan
.
on 12 December 1971 in the 48th PMA Long Course in the Baloch Regiment
, which later became the Sind Regiment. He commanded the Lahore Infantry Division as well as Force Commander Northern Areas (FCNA) in Gilgit
from 2001 to 2003 and then as Director General of the Anti-Narcotics Force
(DG ANF) from 2003 to 2005. He was then called back into the Army and served as the Vice Chief of General Staff (VCGS) from 2005 to 2006. He was serving as VCGS when the fateful earthquake hit the Kashmir region on 8 October 2005. He later served as Commander of the Mangla
Corps from 2007 to 2009.
Nadeem Ahmad is a graduate of Command and Staff College
, Quetta and College of EME
, Rawalpindi besides holding two Masters degrees in war studies, and strategic studies from National Defence College, Islamabad and U.S. Army War College
, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
. He is also recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Disaster Management from University of Huddersfield, UK.
that killed 73,338 people, injured 128,304, and rendered 3.5 million people homeless, then Maj-Gen Nadeem Ahmad was appointed Chief Military Coordinator for the Military Wing of the Federal Relief Commission (FRC). The FRC at that time was headed by Lt Gen (R) Farooq Ahmad Khan, who was in-charge of relief efforts from the civilian side.
Maj-Gen Nadeem and the Pakistan Army worked with the United Nations
(particularly with Andrew MacLeod
) and other representatives of national and international agencies, donor countries and NGOs, to plan and implement the massive relief operations. He is credited by some in the international community as having been the key player in organizing the Pakistan Government's response to the earthquake.
(ERRA), the organization responsible for the $5bn reconstruction efforts. Under his leadership, ERRA planned, funded and implemented programmes for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the 30,000 km2 devastated region of North West Frontier Province and Kashmir in twelve key sectors of Health, Education, Water & Sanitation, Social Protection, Telecommunications, Industry & Tourism, Livelihoods, Agriculture, Governance, Roads & Transportation, Power, and Environment, with cross-cutting themes of Gender Equity and Disaster Risk Reduction.
, Yousuf Raza Gilani, appointed General Nadeem to head a Special Support Group (SSG) for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Federal Government level, to support to Provincial efforts to assist people displaced by the fighting in the Swat region of North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The Support Group's worked with government's agencies and departments, military, donors and international humanatarian organizations and communities, and to organise an International Donors Conference to raise funds to assist the IDPs. The Special Support Group is crowned for the successful return of over 2 million IDPs to Swat Region within a short period of 2 months.
The Special Support Group led the relief efforts for the dislocated families of Waziristan. Headquartered in Peshawar, it was the focal point for all operations relating to IDPs in Pakistan. Under the guidance and direction of Chairman, the Special Support Group set new standards in Internally Displaced Persons relief, assistance and return.
, the biggest disaster to have struck Pakistan, affecting 20 million people over an area of 100,000 Sq. KMs.
He sought resignation in April 2011 after his request to bring ERRA under the NDMA was denied by the political and military leadership.
.
General Nadeem has spoken at numerous conferences, seminars and workshops in Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, China, Denmark, Australia, Nepal and Thailand on all aspects of Disaster Management in both natural disasters and complex emergencies.
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Nadeem Ahmad, HI(M), SE, TBt, is a retired Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
three-star general who is credited with planning and coordinating the relief and reconstruction efforts after the devastating earthquake of October 2005
2005 Kashmir earthquake
The 2005 Kashmir earthquake was a major earthquake centered in Pakistan-administered Kashmir known as Azad Kashmir, near the city of Muzaffarabad, affecting Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It occurred at 08:52:37 Pakistan Standard Time on 8 October 2005...
firstly as head of military wing of Federal Relief Commission (FRC) and then under Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority
Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority
Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority , organization set up by the Government of Pakistan to rebuild 28,000sq-km earthquake hit area which was damaged by a deadly earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 08, 2005...
(ERRA). After retirement in May 2010, he was appointed Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), where he successfully managed the 2010 Pakistan floods
2010 Pakistan floods
The 2010 Pakistan floods began in late July 2010, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan regions of Pakistan and affected the Indus River basin. Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was underwater, approximately...
, the worst disaster in Pakistan's history, as well as the responses to the Hunza
Hunza Valley
The Hunza Valley is a mountainous valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The Hunza valley is situated to the north of the Hunza River, at an elevation of around . The territory of Hunza is about...
landslide and Attabad Lake
Attabad Lake
Attabad Lake, Gojal, also known as Gojal Lake, is a lake in the Hunza Valley of northern Pakistan created in January 2010 by a landslide dam. The lake was formed due to a massive landslide at Attabad village in Gilgit-Baltistan, upstream of Karimabad that occurred on January 4, 2010. The...
crisis, and the Airblue crash
Airblue Flight 202
Airblue Flight 202 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight which crashed on 28 July 2010 near Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, killing all 146 passengers and six crew on board. It is the deadliest air accident to occur in Pakistan to date...
.
The general also served as the Director General of Anti-Narcotics Force
Anti-Narcotics Force
The Anti Narcotics Force is a government controlled organization in Pakistan which targets the eradication of drug supply, drug dealing and organizing rehabilitation programmes. The ANF is a Pakistani police's special forces that is mandate to conduct difficult operations against the drug mafia...
(ANF), Vice Chief of the General Staff (VCGS), and Commander of the I Strike Corps
I Corps (Pakistan)
The I Corps, also known as I Strike Corps, of the Pakistan Army headquartered in Mangla, Azad Kashimir Province of Pakistan. Known as I Strike Corps, it is one of two strike corps within its ten manouvre Army corps...
at Mangla Cantt
Mangla Cantt
Mangla Cantonment is an army garrison near Mangla Dam in Jhelum District of Pakistan. The town of Mangla and Mangla dam are located across the Jhelum river in Azad Kashmir.During the construction of Mangla Dam, the area belonging to villages of Baral, Baruti, Thill and Sultanpur was evacuated to...
, until his retirement in May 2010. Before retirement in May 2009, he was appointed as chairman of Special Support Group (SSG) for Internally displaced persons affected by wars in Swat
Second Battle of Swat
The Second Battle of Swat also known as Operation Rah-e-Rast, began in May 2009 and involved the Pakistani Army and Islamic militants in a fight for control of the Swat district of Pakistan. The first Battle of Swat had ended with a peace agreement, widely criticised in the west, that the...
and Waziristan
Operation Rah-e-Nijat
The Operation Rah-e-Nijat was a Pakistani military operation against the Taliban and other Islamist rebels in the South Waziristan area of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas that began on June 19, 2009; a major ground offensive was subsequently launched on October 17...
.
Army career
Nadeem Ahmad was commissioned in the Pakistan ArmyPakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
on 12 December 1971 in the 48th PMA Long Course in the Baloch Regiment
Baloch Regiment
The Baloch Regiment is an infantry regiment of Pakistan Army. The modern regiment was formed in May 1956 by the merger of 8th Punjab and Bahawalpur Regiments with the Baluch Regiment. Since then, further raisings have brought the strength of the Regiment to more than fifty battalions...
, which later became the Sind Regiment. He commanded the Lahore Infantry Division as well as Force Commander Northern Areas (FCNA) in Gilgit
Gilgit
Gilgit is a city in northern PakistanGilgit may refer to other terms related with the area of the city:* Gilgit River* Gilgit Valley* Gilgit District* Gilgit Agency * Gilgit Airport...
from 2001 to 2003 and then as Director General of the Anti-Narcotics Force
Anti-Narcotics Force
The Anti Narcotics Force is a government controlled organization in Pakistan which targets the eradication of drug supply, drug dealing and organizing rehabilitation programmes. The ANF is a Pakistani police's special forces that is mandate to conduct difficult operations against the drug mafia...
(DG ANF) from 2003 to 2005. He was then called back into the Army and served as the Vice Chief of General Staff (VCGS) from 2005 to 2006. He was serving as VCGS when the fateful earthquake hit the Kashmir region on 8 October 2005. He later served as Commander of the Mangla
Mangla
Mangla town is located in Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir at the border with Jhelum district Punjab, with Jhelum river making the boundary. Mangla is an ancient town and is slated to be named after Mangla Devi. It is also the site of crossing of river Jhelum by Alexander forces facing Raja Porus...
Corps from 2007 to 2009.
Nadeem Ahmad is a graduate of Command and Staff College
Command and Staff College
The Command and Staff College was established in 1907 at Quetta, Balochistan, British Raj, now in Pakistan, and is the oldest and the most prestigious institution of the Pakistan Army. It was established in 1905 in Deolali and moved to its present location at Quetta in 1907 under the name of Quetta...
, Quetta and College of EME
College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
The College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering or is the largest constituent college of the National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan.- Location :...
, Rawalpindi besides holding two Masters degrees in war studies, and strategic studies from National Defence College, Islamabad and U.S. Army War College
U.S. Army War College
The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks...
, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
. He is also recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Disaster Management from University of Huddersfield, UK.
Chief Military Coordinator of Federal Relief Commission (FRC)
Following the devastating Pakistan earthquake2005 Kashmir earthquake
The 2005 Kashmir earthquake was a major earthquake centered in Pakistan-administered Kashmir known as Azad Kashmir, near the city of Muzaffarabad, affecting Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It occurred at 08:52:37 Pakistan Standard Time on 8 October 2005...
that killed 73,338 people, injured 128,304, and rendered 3.5 million people homeless, then Maj-Gen Nadeem Ahmad was appointed Chief Military Coordinator for the Military Wing of the Federal Relief Commission (FRC). The FRC at that time was headed by Lt Gen (R) Farooq Ahmad Khan, who was in-charge of relief efforts from the civilian side.
Maj-Gen Nadeem and the Pakistan Army worked with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
(particularly with Andrew MacLeod
Andrew MacLeod
Andrew MacLeod is the CEO of the Committee for Melbourne, Foundation Chair of the United Nations Global Compact Principles for Social Investment and a member of the United Nations Expert Group on Responsible Business and Investment in High-Risk Areas...
) and other representatives of national and international agencies, donor countries and NGOs, to plan and implement the massive relief operations. He is credited by some in the international community as having been the key player in organizing the Pakistan Government's response to the earthquake.
Deputy Chairman ERRA
Following the relief phase, Nadeem was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Deputy Chairman of Pakistan’s Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation AuthorityEarthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority
Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority , organization set up by the Government of Pakistan to rebuild 28,000sq-km earthquake hit area which was damaged by a deadly earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 08, 2005...
(ERRA), the organization responsible for the $5bn reconstruction efforts. Under his leadership, ERRA planned, funded and implemented programmes for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the 30,000 km2 devastated region of North West Frontier Province and Kashmir in twelve key sectors of Health, Education, Water & Sanitation, Social Protection, Telecommunications, Industry & Tourism, Livelihoods, Agriculture, Governance, Roads & Transportation, Power, and Environment, with cross-cutting themes of Gender Equity and Disaster Risk Reduction.
Chairman Special Support Group for IDPs
On 11 May 2009, the Prime Minister of PakistanPrime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
, Yousuf Raza Gilani, appointed General Nadeem to head a Special Support Group (SSG) for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Federal Government level, to support to Provincial efforts to assist people displaced by the fighting in the Swat region of North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The Support Group's worked with government's agencies and departments, military, donors and international humanatarian organizations and communities, and to organise an International Donors Conference to raise funds to assist the IDPs. The Special Support Group is crowned for the successful return of over 2 million IDPs to Swat Region within a short period of 2 months.
The Special Support Group led the relief efforts for the dislocated families of Waziristan. Headquartered in Peshawar, it was the focal point for all operations relating to IDPs in Pakistan. Under the guidance and direction of Chairman, the Special Support Group set new standards in Internally Displaced Persons relief, assistance and return.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Soon after retirement, the General was appointed as Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), where he supervised the entire Relief and Early Recovery efforts during the 2010 Pakistan floods2010 Pakistan floods
The 2010 Pakistan floods began in late July 2010, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan regions of Pakistan and affected the Indus River basin. Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was underwater, approximately...
, the biggest disaster to have struck Pakistan, affecting 20 million people over an area of 100,000 Sq. KMs.
He sought resignation in April 2011 after his request to bring ERRA under the NDMA was denied by the political and military leadership.
Recognition for services
In recognition of his outstanding services to humanity, General Nadeem was awarded the nation’s highest award, Sitara-e-Esar, by the President of Pakistan in 2006. In 2007, he was presented with the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour at The Hague, Netherlands and also the Shah-e-Hamdan Medal by the Government of Azad KashmirAzad Kashmir
Azad Jammu and Kashmir or Azad Kashmir for short, is the southernmost political entity within the Pakistani-administered part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir...
.
General Nadeem has spoken at numerous conferences, seminars and workshops in Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, China, Denmark, Australia, Nepal and Thailand on all aspects of Disaster Management in both natural disasters and complex emergencies.
External links
- Profile of the General
- Centre for Excellence in Disaster Management
- The aftermath of the Earthquake - IRIN news site
- Cambridge University Field Trip
- Australian government Awards site
- Relief web report
- United Nations/Government of Pakistan Early Recovery Plan
- Government of Pakistan Annual review
- National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan