Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), an important tier of higher defence organization, came into being in 1976. It consists of a permanent Chairman and the three Chiefs of Staff. It is headed by a four star officer designated as Chairman.
Joint Staff Headquarters act as secretariat of JCSC. It is located at Chaklala, Rawalpindi.
In peacetime the main function of Chairman JCSC is to plan for the defence of the country. In war-like situation the Chairman will assume responsibilities as Principal Staff Officer to assist the Government in the supervision and conduct of war. JCSC is the highest military body for considering all problems bearing on the military aspects of national defence and rendering professional military advice thereon. It is mainly responsible for preparing joint strategic plans and providing for the strategic direction of the armed forces. It reviews periodically the role, size and shape of the three services and advises the Government on related aspects of national defence and security.