January 05, 2008	Saturday	Zilhaj 25, 1428

KARACHI, Jan 4: The Pakistan Navy’s officers commissioning parade was held here at the “PNS Rahbar” on Friday.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Tariq Majid was the chief guest.

Addressing the officers, Gen Majid said that “the evolving international environment and our complex internal dynamics have created a situation that our country today is faced with numerous external and internal challenges.

“As the nation is passing through a critical phase of political and socio-economic transformation, these challenges have become even more formidable.”

Therefore, he added, along with the sacred duty of defending the country, the armed forces also carried the responsibility of safeguarding its ideological frontiers and protecting the inner front against the threats posed by extremism which was threatening to destabilise socio-political order, paralyze economic progress and subvert ideological moorings.

He said that in view of the evolving external challenges, it was imperative for the armed forces to keep abreast of the developments taking place on the regional and international horizons.

He said that Pakistan Navy’s participation in the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan and holding command of the Task Force-150 twice was testimony of its professional competence.

Commodore Mohammad Tahir, presented a welcome address. Later, the chief guest gave away prizes for outstanding performances.—APP