28 March 2004	Sunday	06 Safar 1425

NOWSHERA, March 27: A graduation parade was held at the Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur here on Saturday, making the culmination of No112 General Duty (Pilot) and No58 Engineering courses.

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was the chief guest on this occasion.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf in his message on the graduation parade said: "Recent wars have demonstrated that air power plays a decisive role in any armed conflict. In the nuclear and missile era, air force has gained even greater significance, and rightly so. You have been entrusted with the sacred responsibility of defending the aerial frontiers of your country.

"As the proud defenders of Pakistan's aerial boundaries, it must be your passion to outfight the enemy through better professionalism and superior combat motivation".

He said: "Your ultimate strength lies in your professionalism, devotion to duty and above all, in your unshakable faith in Allah Almighty. These sterling qualities blended with the urge to excel will always enable you to surmount any challenge courageously and gracefully".

In his address to the parade, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said: "Challenges lying ahead of you, call for a deep sense of responsibility and high level of proficiency in combat and engineering skills. Remember, in this hi-tech age, warfare is dictated by newly evolving doctrines, new strategies and tactics. we cannot afford to lower our guards, nor can we make any compromise on our state of combat readiness."

He advised the graduating cadets, "keep yourselves abreast of the latest advancements in your respective fields of speciality. You can attain true success, only through consistent hard work and selfless devotion."

Earlier on his arrival at the parade ground Prime Minister of Pakistan Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was received by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat and was presented general salute by the aviation cadets.

The chief guest reviewed the parade and presented the Quaid-e- Azam Banner to the No. 3 Squadron, the new champion squadron.

This was followed by the award of flying badges and branch insignias to the graduating cadets.

Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro and attaches of foreign missions in Islamabad also attended the ceremony.

The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee's Trophy for best performance in General Service Training was won by Aviation Cadet Academy Under Officer Tariq Wahid Malik. The Chief of the Air Staff's Trophy for best performance in Engineering Discipline was awarded to Aviation Cadet Sohail Ahmed, while Aviation Cadet Academy Under Officer Tariq Wahid Malik lifted the Chief of the Air Staff trophy for best performance in flying.

The coveted sword of honour for best all round performance in the college of aeronautical engineering was awarded to Aviation Cadet Sohail Ahmed, while Aviation Cadet Academy Under Officer Tariq Wahid Malik won the sword of honour for best all round performance in the college of flying training.

Besides the parents and relatives of the graduating cadets, a large number of senior civil and military officials were also present on the occasion.