PESHAWAR, Oct 2: NWFP Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman has said the tremendous advancement in the field of aviation has made it incumbent upon the authorities concerned to pursue the latest innovations in the profession, adding that there was no room for laxity in the demanding and challenging task of combat aviation.

Addressing as the chief guest at the passing-out ceremony of 115 GD (Pilot) Course of the College of Flying Training of the Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur, at its premises, the governor said, indeed, in order to maintain our country’s air arm as “Second to None” we will have to make concerted efforts to acquire sound professional competence.

The coveted award Asghar Hussain Trophy went to Aviation Cadet SGT Mohammad Asif Shahbaz for all-round best performance in academics whereas the Best Performance Trophy in Humanities and Best Performance Trophy in Aero Sciences were bagged by Aviation Cadet Aatif Iqbal and Aviation Cadet SGT Mahmood Khan respectively.

In fact, the governor said, the credibility of a country’s armed forces has a direct bearing on the formulation of a national strategy and this distinctive feature of the military makes it imperative for the officers of the armed forces to be suitably equipped with modern scientific education.

Though, the governor said, military education is always imbued with a distinctive colour, yet it needs to be geared to the pragmatic application of every aspect of the profession of the respective people.

Addressing the cadets, Mr Khalil said that as an ideological nation our true strength lies in unshakable faith in the Almighty and it is through this divine faith, combined with a resolute will and self-reliance that they have to acquit themselves of the sacred trust that has been entrusted upon them by the nation.

He said: “The supreme ideals of Islam have always been a source of abiding inspiration for dedicated work and they must, therefore, model their lives and conduct on the infallible teachings of Islam.”

He said that all along their quest for professional excellence, they must also be mindful of the need of broadening their vision as well as their mental horizon through extensive reading and intellectual cultivation.

He said that intellect was the power of the mind that enabled them to be imaginative and creative, in evolving new and better precepts and practices in their respective fields.

Mr Khalil said that it must be their constant endeavour to augment and develop themselves professionally, which could only be done through enrichment of their intellectual faculties.

He expressed confidence that the Pakistan Air Force would definitely provide them ample opportunities to achieve this objective. However, he added, it will also entirely depend on their keenness to capitalize on the opportunities and achieve the highest standards of excellence.

Air Officer Commanding Air-vice Marshal Inamullah Khan and Commandant of the College of Flying Training Air Commodore Abid Hussain Khawaja were also present on the occasion. Besides other senior military and civil officers, the ceremony was also attended by the cadets and their parents.