BAHAWALPUR, Dec 17: President Gen Pervez Musharraf (retired) paid a farewell visit to 16 self-propelled (SP) artillery regiment, the cradle of his army career, in Bahawalpur cantonment on Monday.

Musharraf was commissioned in the 16 SP artillery regiment as 2nd lieutenant in 1961. He fought the 1965 war with India on Khem Kharan and Sialkot sectors with the 16 SP regiment.

According to an ISPR press release, the president met officers, junior commissioned officers and regiment men. Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Corp Commander Lt Gen Raza Khan and the regiment’s commanding officer were also present on the occasion.

Talking to servicemen, the president said that the defence of the country had been made impregnable and state of preparedness and training of the armed forces was in highest order. He said that Pakistan army was one of the best in the world which had not only ensured safety and security of the country but also contributed substantially to various national development programmes.

Musharraf recalled his memories and said he was proud that he was commissioned in this regiment. Garrison officers hosted a farewell dinner to honour their former commander-in-chief.

GILLANI: Makhdoom Ali Hassan Gilani, a PML-N candidate for NA-183 Bahawalpur-I, has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging his disqualification by the returning officer (RO) and the apex court has admitted the appeal for hearing in Islamabad on Tuesday (today).