: 64 [3] Initially, it was established in Abbottabad Cantonment in 1957 with Lt-Gen. Azam Khan becoming its first field commander with an objective to maneuver the ground formations more effectively against the larger opposing force.

: 64 [3] Later headquartered in Mangla Cantonment in Kashmir to strengthen the national defense lines, it is the first field corps in order of precedence of the Pakistan Army.

: 48  The Indian Army planned a major attack in the sector, which was managed by I Corps, but when the war broke out, the lead Indian Army's formation, 54th Infantry Division, only managed to advance a few kilometers– a total of 13 kilometres (8 mi) in two weeks of operations.

[9] After the 1971 war with India, the I Corps has not seen military actions, and has been stationed in Mangla ever since and is well trained for forest warfare techniques.

[10] Since 1971, the I Corps has not seen the military action but has supported through its units to enforce the Line of Control, on secondment to Northern Command.