RISALPUR, Oct 09 (APP):Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa Monday said that Pakistan’s
armed forces were fully capable of responding to all sorts of internal and
external threats and aggression.
“If the enemy ever resorts to a misadventure, regardless of its size and scale, it will have
to pay an unbearable cost,” he said while addressing graduation ceremony of 138
GDP, 84 Engineering, 94 Air Defence, 9 Admin and Special Duties and 3rd
Logistics courses here at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy, Asghar Khan.
He said Pakistan was a peace-loving country and wanted to promote peace all around as
it was the assurance of its own internal stability. “We stand firmly committed to this cause and will not
allow anybody to misinterpret our actions,” he said.
He said that the national struggle against terrorism had largely been
successful due to outstanding contribution of the PAF. He said the PAF, being a high organ
of the national defence, had played a remarkable role in annihilating and
destroying a number of terrorist sanctuaries and training camps along the Pak-Afghan border.
He said unfortunately, the international community had failed to
recognize Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices in the war on terror. “No country
has sacrificed as much as we have and achieved enormous success,” he
added.
He said that Pakistan was the only country, which had successfully fought terrorism and was
in the process of eradicating the residual through Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. “It
is our resolve that we will make Pakistan a terror free country, come what may.
With continuous public support to the armed forces it will be done sooner than
later.”
The Army Chief expressed pleasure to attend the graduation ceremony. He said the smart turn-out of the
cadets and the excellent parade was a testimony to the high standards of training being imparted at the PAF
Academy.
He congratulated all the graduating cadets, especially the position-holders
and winners of Swords of Honour. He also extended felicitations to the Royal
Saudi Air Force and Royal Jordanian Air Force cadets on successful completion
of their training at the Academy.
He said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan and their defence forces enjoyed
warm and brotherly relationship. “We are held close by the strong bonds of our
religion, our cultural communion and converging world view. Our defence forces
have been cooperating with each other in various fields. Likewise, in the fight
against terrorism, we fight shoulder to shoulder with our brothers from Middle
East.”
General Bajwa said that the profession of arms was highly demanding and
called for continuous training and education. He said in order to march in
consonance with the rapidly evolving developments in the realm of
air power and technology, it is incumbent for the cadets to sharpen their
professional skills and excel in their professional pursuits.
The Army Chief said noted that Pakistan Air Force, under its visionary
leadership, was second to none. “PAF has achieved a number of milestones in its
journey towards modernization during the recent years. It has a variety of modern platforms and
efforts are underway to further enhance its operational capabilities. Pakistan
Army considers a strong and agile PAF as a critical enabler to fight both conventional
and sub conventional wars successfully,” he added.
He said that this day had special significance in the professional careers of cadets. “It is the
occasion where you are getting reward for your dedication and consistent hard work,
which enabled you to become proud officers of your respective Air Forces.
“Now you are entering practical phase of your lives, where you will face many challenges,
but I am confident that the knowledge and training being imparted at this
premier institution will help you to overcome these challenges without much
difficulty,” he said.
He asked the cadets that being the custodians of aerial frontiers of the
homeland, they would have to develop skills to operate and maintain this
sophisticated and expensive equipment in the highest state of readiness.
“This will require each one of you to devote your complete focus and commitment to your
profession. Keep PAF’s valuable traditions of valour and sacrifice alive and
pursue the core values of integrity, excellence and teamwork for abiding
success in your careers,” he added.
