REF: http://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=4691

Passing out parade of 137th PMA Long Course, 8th Mujahid Course and 56th Integrated Course held at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul.

Kakul - April 14, 2018

No PR-141/2018-ISPR

Passing out parade of 137th PMA Long Course, 8th Mujahid Course and 56th Integrated Course held at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul. 31 cadets from FATA, 67 cadets from Balochistan and 6 Allied cadets from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were also among passing out cadets.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) was the chief guest on the occasion. COAS reviewed the parade and gave awards to distinguished cadets. The coveted Sword of Honour was awarded to Academy Senior under Officer Syed Hasnain Ali of 137th Long Course. The President's Gold Medal to Battalion Senior Under Officer Abdul Wahab Malik of 137th Long Course, the Overseas Gold Medal to Academy Under Officer Saud from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of 137th Long Course.

Major General Akhtar Nawaz Satti, Commandant Pakistan Military Academy and large number of senior serving / retired armed forces personnel, parents and relatives of passing out cadets witnessed the parade.

Text of COAS speech on PMA passing out Parade.

"Bismillah Irrakhman Nirraheem"

General Akhtar Nawaz Satti, Commandant Pakistan Military Academy, Excellencies, General Officers, Distinguished Guests, Faculty Members, Ladies, Gentlemen and My Very Dear Graduating Cadets,

Assalam-o-Alaikum & Good Morning

It is my great honour and pleasure to witness this Passing-out Parade as its Reviewing Officer. In the first place, I would like to congratulate you, on the most memorable day of your life, the day when you join the officers corps of Pakistan Army. I also take this opportunity to convey my heartiest felicitations to your proud parents as well.

In this Parade, we also have cadets from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who have earned their well-deserved commission today. I extend my heartiest felicitations to these cadets and wish them all the success for their future assignments.

And my compliments to the Commandant PMA and his team for a job well done.

My Dear Cadets!

Today, indeed, marks the most cherished moment in your life. You have proved yourselves worthy of a noble, yet a very demanding profession. You deserve utmost appreciation and admiration for your impressive performance.

Today is the start of your careers in one of the most distinguished and battle hardened Army of the World.

Please remember, that your training so far was focused on transforming the raw youth into a gentleman. But from now onwards, the actual period of professional training starts, along with honing of your leadership skills - You will hit the ground running and will soon be testing your mettle with the best of the bests.

Let me remind you, that learning is a continuous process. Modern Warfare is an exceedingly vast and complex domain which demands thorough knowledge and ingenuity. You are being commissioned in Pakistan Army at a time when Pakistan is facing enormous challenges both in conventional and sub-conventional domains. You will be operating in a high tech battlefield environment, involving inventions and innovations offered by science and technology.

The future wars and challenges will put your abilities to test in upholding and carrying forward the fine traditions of this great institution to the hilt. I have full confidence that you will stand the test of times.

My Dear Cadets!

The present concept of command and leadership is more demanding than ever. Leading your men in complex future operations requires you to be at your very best.

As officers in the Army, you will lead some of the finest and most motivated soldiers in the World. Your conduct and professionalism will be observed and followed by them. Therefore, set personal examples and always lead from the front. Please remember, the officer corps never says 'Advance', they always say 'Follow Me'.

Also remember to retain the element of compassion in your conduct. In the heat of operations, your men should look upon you more as a leader than a commander, if you truly want to earn their unmitigated loyalty and respect.

My Dear Cadets!

Our enemies know, that they cannot beat us fair and square and have thus subjected us to a cruel, evil and protracted hybrid war. They are trying to weaken our resolve by weakening us from within. Had it been any nation than ours, it would have disintegrated by now. But since we enjoy complete confidence and support of our nation, we have defeated every move of these inimical forces and will Insha ALLAH, continue to do so.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Pakistan has totally rejected extremism and terrorism. We also refuse to be pulled asunder on issues of sect, ethnicity, caste or creed. The diversity of Pakistan is our strength. The very resilience of Pakistan comes, not just from our military capacity, but from the synergetic mix of a people who have come together, willingly towards a single purpose. In this regard, Pakistan Army is fully cognizant of its national responsibilities. Today's Passing Out is therefore, a true reflection of that responsibility, when we commission 67 cadets from Baluchistan and 31 from FATA.

I would like to reiterate here that the nation and its Armed Forces are totally united and focused towards our primary objective, that is, eradication and elimination of terrorism. As a result of past and ongoing operations, Pakistan has eliminated almost all organized terrorist presence and infrastructure from its soil. We are now going after the residual and scattered traces of this menace under the banner of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

In all humility, let me say that Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is not merely an operation; it is a concept, a resolve and a commitment of the nation to eradicate tumult from its soil. Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is guided by our collective resolve and belief that we will neither tire nor relent until the last terrorist is eliminated from our soil. Moreover, we are committed not to allow our soil to be used against any other country.

As the Army Chief, I am very happy to see the progress that we have made so far. Let me acknowledge that such progress would not have been possible without the willing sacrifices and matchless courage of our people in general and Pashtun tribesmen of KPK and FATA in particular. I salute their courage and sacrifice.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Pakistan is a peace loving country and seeks harmonious and peaceful co-existence with all countries, especially its neighbours.  However, this desire for peace must not, in any sense, be construed as a sign of weakness. Our valiant Armed Forces are Alhamdulillah fully prepared to respond across the full spectrum of threat in a befitting manner.

I also take this opportunity to express our complete political and moral support to the basic right of self-determination for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Those peace loving innocent citizens are being subjected to one of the worst form of state terrorism. It is high time for the World community to wake up and play its positive role to bring peace to that unfortunate part of the Sub-Continent.

Furthermore, it is our sincere belief that the route to peaceful resolution of Pak-India disputes - including the core issue of Kashmir - runs through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue. While such dialogue is no favour to any party, it remains the inevitable precursor to peace across the region. Pakistan remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

We are also committed to peace and Intra Afghan reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan at all bilateral and multilateral forums. We sincerely believe that there will be no peace in Pakistan, if there is no peace in Afghanistan. Our peace is linked, therefore, we must work in unison with our Afghan brothers to achieve this goal.

Moreover, we have done our part to cleanse Pakistan of the scourge of terrorism and extremism without any distinction and our efforts have started to bear results. We are committed to continue these efforts, not out of any compulsion, but to make Pakistan a safe, prosperous and progressive country.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Pakistan Armed Forces are the custodians and upholders of this resolve - a resolve that is evident in the sacrifices of our young men and officers. I therefore, call upon all the stakeholders within the region and beyond to let's give peace a chance.

Finally, my dear cadets, ladies and gentlemen

Towards the fag end of my 40 years of military service, it is my earnest desire and effort that the Pakistan, these young men inherit, when they are in leadership positions, is the Pakistan we all dreamed of -  a stable, confident, happy and secure. It is, therefore our right and duty to strive for such a country.

At the end, I once again convey my profound felicitations to the newly commissioned officers and their family members at this most joyful moment.

May ALLAH ALMIGHTY be your Guide and Protector!

Pakistan Army Zindabad.

Pakistan Paindabad.

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