Bond with people to be solidified: COAS

KAKUL:

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday assured that the country's armed forces had the "will, capability and capacity" to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, highlighting that soldiers "don’t get fascinated with the numbers or resources of their adversaries".

“We have the will, capability and capacity to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity and we are well aware of the ways and means to do it. I assure the people of Pakistan that we will never hesitate in rendering any and every sacrifice necessary for the defence of our sacred motherland,” Gen Asim said while addressing the passing-out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The cadets were of 147th PMA Long Course, 13th Mujahid Course, 66th Integrated Course, 6th Basic Military Training Course and 21st Lady Cadet Course.

The army chief said that the people of Pakistan were central to the unity of the state. “First and the foremost is loyalty to the state of Pakistan and commitment to the constitutional role assigned to the armed forces of Pakistan.”

“To us, nothing is more sacred than the safety and security of our people and no duty is more binding than the defence of our motherland. Go out now, and deliver to the expectations of your nation,” the COAS said.

The army imbibed on the vision of our Great Quaid signifying no distinction of caste, colour, creed, gender or geography, he added.

Gen Asim said: “Our efforts for peace should never be taken as a sign of weakness."

“Significant effort is being made by our adversaries to affect state and societal cohesion through multiple efforts. There is absolutely no space for spoilers of our hard-earned peace,” the COAS said.

“There is a dire need to identify the exposed and hidden enemies. In this regard, there must be a difference between reality and deception.

“Our enemies are hell-bent upon driving a wedge between its people and the armed forces,” he added.

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The army chief vowed that the army would ensure that the bond between the armed forces and the people of Pakistan was preserved and further solidified. “Stability, security and peace in Afghanistan remain fundamentals to our security.

“We will continue to provide political, moral and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brothers,” the COAS said.

“Pakistan firmly stands with its Kashmiri brethren in their historic struggle for basic human rights and their legitimate quest for the right to self-determination. The international community must realize that without a just and peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue, regional peace will forever remain elusive,” he added.

The COAS added that stability, security, and peace in Afghanistan remained fundamental to Pakistan's security.

On the Kashmir issue, the army chief said, “We will continue to provide political, moral and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brothers.

“The international community must realise that without a just and peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue, regional peace will forever remain elusive.”

The COAS also congratulated the passing-out cadets, their parents, guardians and mentors, saying: “The PMA has remained the cradle of leadership and centre of excellence for cadets joining this premier institution from within and across the world.”

The army chief, “Today’s parade yet again proves the professionalism, superior ethos and glorious traditions of the academy and Pakistan Army alike.”

Gen Asim urged the cadets to remain focused on what the country and nations expect from the armed forces.

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According to the ISPR, cadets from Palestine, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Sri Lanka were also among the passing-out cadets.

Gen Asim, who was the chief guest on the occasion, reviewed the parade and distributed awards among the distinguished cadets.

The coveted sword of honour was awarded to Academy Senior Under Officer Abdullah Bin Tariq and President's Gold medal to Battalion Senior Under Officer Ali Amir of 147th PMA Long Course, the statement added.

The ISPR furthered that the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Overseas Gold Medal was awarded to Battalion Sports Sergeant Pasindu Dayananda from Sri Lanka.

The COAS cane was awarded to Course Under Officer Muhammad Adnan Munawar of 13th Mujahid Course, while the commandant canes were awarded to Course Under Officer Adil Ali of 66th Integrated Course, Course Sergeant Major Fatima Khalid of 21st Lady Cadet Course and Course Under Officer Salman Khan of 6th Basic Military Training Course.