The Pa-O National Organisation () is a Pa-O

political party A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular area's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific political ideology, ...

in Myanmar (Burma). Its armed wing, the Pa-O National Army, has between 400 and 700 active personnel. The PNO administers the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone, which consists of three townships in southern

Shan State Shan State (, ; , ) is a administrative divisions of Myanmar, state of Myanmar. Shan State borders China (Yunnan) to the north, Laos (Louang Namtha Province, Louang Namtha and Bokeo Provinces) to the east, and Thailand (Chiang Rai Province, Chia ...

: Hopong, Hsi Hseng, and Pinlaung townships. The PNO claims to represent the Pa-O people and promotes agricultural and work programmes across its controlled territory, in additional to building schools and hospitals in the area. The organisation's armed wing, the Pa-O National Army (PNA), is a close ally of the

Burmese military The Tatmadaw, also known as the Sit-Tat, is the armed forces of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is administered by the Ministry of Defence (Myanmar), Ministry of Defence and composed of the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar Navy and the Myanmar Air For ...

, while PNO itself has close ties to the military-backed

Union Solidarity and Development Party The Union Solidarity and Development Party (; abbr. USDP) is an ultranationalist, pro-military political party in Myanmar. Alongside the National League for Democracy, it is one of Myanmar's two principal national parties. USDP is the succe ...

References

Paramilitary organisations based in Myanmar Political parties in Myanmar Political parties of minorities in Myanmar Pa'O people Political parties established in 1949 1949 establishments in Burma {{Myanmar-party-stub