KAKUL: The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen Rashad Mahmood, has said that entire nation is united against terrorism and extremism and the ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azab reflects the unflinching resolve of the armed forces and people of Pakistan to defeat evil forces of regression.

He was addressing the passing out parade of 133rd PMA Long Course, 27th Technical Graduate Course, 34th Graduate Course, 51st Integrated Course and 13th Lady Cadet Course here on Saturday.

The CJCSC said that invaluable sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan Army in its fight against terrorism reflected the will and hope of the whole nation.

“Our officers and men have written some astonishing feats with their blood, of indomitable courage, selflessness, and professional purpose. The whole nation salutes their sacrifices and they shall never be forgotten,” he said.

He congratulated the cadets and appreciated the high standard of the parade.

He said the internal and external challenges that Pakistan was confronting were indeed daunting and complex and asked the cadets to keep themselves abreast of emerging technologies, new age weapons and concepts of technology-driven warfare.

Earlier, the CJCSC reviewed the parade and awarded the coveted Sword of Honour to Battalion Senior Under Officer Muhammad Waleed.

The President’s Gold Medal was presented to Academy Senior Under Officer Muhammad Asfandyar Khan and the Chief of Army Staff Overseas Gold Medal to Allied Under Officer Faisal Naif B Aldawish of Saudi Arabia.

The Commandant’s Cane for the best cadet was awarded to Course Under Officer Syed Haseeb Hussain Gilani of Graduate Course and Course Under Officer Abdul Rehman Tahir. Technical Graduate Course was awarded to Course Under Officer Nadir Mahmood Khan of Integrated Course and Course Under Officer Masooma Daudpota of Lady Cadets Course.

Gen Mahmood awarded the Quaid-i-Azam banner to the new champion company Qasim for exhibiting outstanding performance during the training.

Thirty-one cadets from Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Libya were among those passed out.

Maj Gen Nadeem Raza, Commandant of Pakistan Military Academy, was also present on the saluting dais.

A large number of senior serving and retired personnel of the armed forces and parents of the cadets witnessed the parade.

Published in Dawn, October 18th , 2015

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