The position was created in the existence of army chief is simultaneously the President of Pakistan, having taking over by imposing the martial law against the elected civilian government.

[2] The function and scope of the vice army chief was to "exercise and perform all the powers and functions vested in the chief of army staff under the law.

[1] The post of the vice army chief is a very senior position and the appointment holder is a four-star general.

All persons mentioned below have served as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff with distinction of General Abdul Hamid Khan who acted as the 'Chief of Staff' (COS) of the army under General Yahya Khan who was the President of Pakistan and also the holder of the post of Commander in Chief of the Pakistan Army.

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was the last vice chief of army staff till date.