RISALPUR , Sept 22: Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed has said that safeguarding freedom and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan must remain the top priority of everyone because ‘our ancestors and founders’ paid an extremely high price for independence in 1947.

He said this while addressing the passing-out ceremony of 117th General Duty Pilot (GDP) course at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy Risalpur on Friday.

He said: “We should never lose sight of our glorious past and our prime responsibility will be to defend the aerial frontiers of our motherland.”

Air power offers a unique option of safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of nations and any threat to Pakistan’s society would directly impact PAF as air power these days is the weapon-of-first-choice, he said.

“In any future conflict, the PAF will offer itself as a strong instrument of state and we shall come up with bold new ideas and train realistically and hard by using modern techniques of training,” he said.

“We shall be there whenever the nation calls us — across the spectrum of conflict,” he said.

Elaborating the importance of the PAF, the air chief said, a strong air force is an indispensable instrument for ensuring the security and sanctity of the air space; therefore, the nation has strong faith in the Pakistan Air Force and its courageous aerial sentinels.

An ever-significant role for the PAF is in deterring and checkmating future military aggression by our enemy. As of today, we are prepared to do our utmost to meet the challenge, whenever it arises, in line with the glorious traditions of PAF, he said.

Admittedly, an important implication of war-preparedness is adequacy assets and in this regard we are doing our bit to induct the best possible weapons system available today, he said.

Earlier, he pinned badges on 36 graduating cadets and also distributed awards among the best cadets.

The chairman joint chiefs of staff committee trophy for best performance in general services training was won by Aviation Cadet Squadron Under Officer Nadir Ali, Chief Of the Air Staff’s Trophy for best performance in flying discipline was also awarded to the same cadet.

A significant event of the ceremony was a colourful air display by Sherdil Formation of T-37 and K-8 jet trainer aircraft during which pilots performed formation aerobatics, which were highly admired leaving the spectators spellbound.