Pakistan Air Force Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman has said that Pakistan is confronted with enormous challenges both at internal and external fronts but trying times have galvanized us into battle hardened military, ready to respond to any challenge.
The Chief of the Air Staff was addressing commissioning parade as chief guest at Pakistan Naval Academy on Saturday. The 106th Midshipmen commissioning term and 15th Short Service Commission Officers’ Course, comprising a total of 70 officers, got commissioned at Pakistan Naval Academy PNS RAHBAR, upon completion of rigorous training. Upon his arrival, the chief guest was received by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah.
Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said that our patience was a sign of maturity and must not be misunderstood by our enemy. ‘We know how to respond to any misadventure’, he added.
While congratulating and extending felicitations on achieving this milestone, the Air chief advised the passing out midshipmen and cadets to strive hard to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements, taking place in the domain of naval warfare, so as to keep up with the glorious traditions of your predecessors and build upon this heritage with integrity, courage and commitment. He also said that it was heartening to see that Pakistan Navy is extending support in training future officers of friendly nations who would serve as Pakistan’s ambassadors in their countries.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Pakistan Naval Academy commandant highlighted the salient features of the officers’ training. He apprised the audience that the commissioning term comprised of 45 midshipmen including 44 from Pakistan and 1 from brotherly country Yemen. He added that 25 cadets from Short Service Commission Officers batch including 2 female cadets were also being passed out today. The commandant highlighted that cadets from Bahrain, Jordan, Maldives, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan and Yemen were also undergoing training at Pakistan Naval Academy.
Later, the chief guest gave away prizes to the winners. Midshipman Muhammad Imran was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour for his overall best performance. Whereas, Midshipman Raja Muhammad Shehryar won the Academy’s Dirk, Cadet Raabia Tabasum (SSC) clinched/received the Commandant Gold Medal and Cadet Moiz Ahmad was given Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gold Medal. Lt Sheharyar Jaffar PN and Cadet Adam Hashim from Maldives were awarded Quaid e Azam Gold Medal and Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal respectively.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior military officers, ambassadors, defence attaches of various countries, civil dignitaries and parents of passing out midshipmen and cadets.
