Nation united to tackle confronting challenges: COAS
RISALPUR, Nov 18 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Wednesday the entire nation is united to tackle challenges confronting the country. “Today, we have been challenged as never before. I have full faith and conviction that we, as a nation of 170 million people have the will and resolve to surmount these challenges. The nation stands fully united to confront these challenges and ensure that Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal is restored to its rightful identity,” the Chief of Army Staff said.
He was addressing the passing out parade of graduates from different courses at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy Risalpur. Chief of the
Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman and Air Officer
Commanding, Air Vice Marshal Hafeezullah were also present on the
occasion. Addressing
the passing out cadets, he said Armed Forces are fully alive to the
complete spectrum of threat that confront the nation. “Let no one
misjudge our resolve, we will Inshallah protect and defend Pakistan,”
he added. The Army
Chief said the successfully integrated operations conducted in Swat
stand witness to competence and resolve of Armed Forces’ recent
operations in South Waziristan are also a clear testimony of its
determination and professionalism. He
acknowledged the extensive and competent support provided by Pakistan
Air Force during recent operations. “The close support and battle area
surveillance provided to our troops on ground has greatly contributed
to the success of these operations. I commend PAF for a job very well
done. We are all proud of PAF,” he added. General
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani appreciated the Armed Forces and the nation for
joining hands to alleviate the sufferings of Internally Displaced
Persons of Malakand and Waziristan. “This is in
line with our rich traditions of hospitality and sacrifice. This
goodness of our society is our forte. We must preserve and protect
these valued traditions,” he further said. He said they
(graduating officers) assumed the mental of leadership today, adding
“it is a great honour and privilege, from today onward, the opinions
you form, the decisions you take, and actions you initiate will make a
difference.” He said the
nation has reposed confidence in them and it is their responsibility to
uphold this trust. He expressed the confidence that the graduating
officers would play their leading role in protecting the motherland. He said the
country was created on the basis of two nation theory and added “as a
nation, we find no contradiction in practice of true religious values
and yet be progress. However, we will not allow negative form of
extremism and terrorism to cow us down. We will Inshallah prevail.
Pakistani nation will Inshallah succeed.” Earlier,
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman received
the chief guest General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the graduation ceremony
of 123 GD (P), 67 Engineering Courses, 81 Air Defence, 7 and 40
A&SD and the Commissioning Ceremony of 125 GD (P) and 71
Engineering Courses. On his
arrival at parade ground, General Salute was presented by Aviation
Cadets to the Army Chief. He reviewed the parade and presented
Quaid-e-Azam Banner to No. 4 Squadron, the new Champion Squadron. This was followed by award of flying badges and branch insignias to graduating officers and aviation cadets. Chairman
Joint Chief of Staff Committee’s Trophy for best performance in general
service training in College of Aeronautical Engineering was awarded to
Pilot Officer Syed Muhammad Tashfen Jawad, while Pilot Officer Waleed
Khakwani lifted Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee’s Trophy for
best performance in general service training in College of Flying
Training. Chief of the
Air Staff’s Trophy for best performance in Engineering Discipline was
awarded to Pilot Officer Furqan Sadiq, while Pilot Officer Zohaib
Ashraf got Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for best performance in
flying. The coveted Sword of honour for best all round performance in
College of Aeronautical Engineering was awarded to Pilot Officer Hassan
Tarar, while Pilot Officer Ikrash Munir Awan won Sword of Honour for
best all round performance in College of Flying Training. IN Air
Defence branch, Senior Sergeant Muhammad Tauqir received best
performance trophy and in A&SD branch Hafsa Zaman was awarded best
performance trophy. Significant event of the ceremony was aerobatics performed by “SHERDIL” formation of K-8 Jet Trainer aircraft. At the end of the ceremony, cadets of PAF Academy displayed aerobatics on Para Motor Gliders. Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani appreciated the skills of cadets in this field. Parents and
relatives of graduating cadets, senior civil and military officials
were also present on the occasion. Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur
imparts training not only to aviation cadets of PAF but also to the
friendly countries and sister services.
