PMA passing-out parade: Credible defence linked with rule of law, says PM
Nawaz says nation united behind armed forces; govt is providing all possible resources to defence forces.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and General Raheel Sharif view the passing out parade at PMA Kakul. PHOTO: APP
KAKUL:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said that the whole nation was standing united behind its armed forces.
Addressing the passing-out parade of 129th Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Long Course, 48th Integrated Course and 3rd Mujahid Course, he said that despite financial troubles the state was providing the defence forces all possible resources to make Pakistan’s defence invincible.
The prime minister told the newly graduated cadets that their profession demanded “by its very nature the unquestioned spirit of allegiance and sacrifice embodied in the oath you have all taken today.”
“But don’t you ever forget, your nation will stand united behind you. The state, despite calls of economy and austerity, is providing the defence forces all possible resources needed for making the defence of the country impregnable.”
Premier Nawaz reminded cadets that without a strong economy, rule of law and containment of terrorism, a credible defence could not be sustained. “Therefore, we have to work together as a nation to achieve these goals,” he urged.
“Your professional competence and concern for training and welfare of your under-command will earn you their respect and leadership. We all know that your soldiers will smilingly offer the greatest sacrifice under your command,” he told the graduating cadets.
The prime minister also lauded the excellence of PMA, its faculty members and staff and said it was ‘rightfully considered a cradle of leadership’.
“It is here, that the art of transformation is perfected and raw youth is shaped and chiseled into self-assured and responsible army officers. It is here, that trainees imbibe the best values of life to develop into sterling characters,” he said. “Therefore, the standards set here must serve as the touchstones for all officers,” he added.
The premier told the cadets that commissioning in Pakistan Army and becoming a member of the officer corps was a matter of great pride but at the same time, it called for shouldering enormous responsibilities and staying steadfast in the face of heavy odds.
“It calls for character and integrity. Army officers need to be the embodiment of courage, composure and compassion,” he said. “You are duty-bound to uphold the glorious traditions through the strength of your character, commitment and perseverance.”
He said training at PMA had provided them the ‘wherewithal to meet the future challenges successfully’. “These challenges will come in many shapes and forms, and will test the quality of your character. They will not only be technical and professional in nature, but call for material and moral strength in you,” he added.
The prime minister further told them that during all such ‘tests and temptations’, they should not forget the enormous trust the nation has reposed in them.
“[The nation] trusts you and admires you. Therefore, you must prove yourselves equal to that trust and admiration by being a symbol of steadfastness and uprightness,” he said.
He reminded them that they were joining “a proud tradition of valiant warriors like Major Aziz Bhatti shaheed, Captain Sarwar shaheed, Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed, Lance Naik Mohammad Mehfuz Shaheed and Major Shabir Sharif Shaheed, just to name a few.”
Referring to meritorious services of the army chief, the prime minister told the cadets that they must also keep in their mind the lives and conduct of officers like General Raheel Sharif, “who are only known for their professionalism, patriotism, dedication and commitment to their motherland.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2014.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said that the whole nation was standing united behind its armed forces.
Addressing the passing-out parade of 129th Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Long Course, 48th Integrated Course and 3rd Mujahid Course, he said that despite financial troubles the state was providing the defence forces all possible resources to make Pakistan’s defence invincible.
The prime minister told the newly graduated cadets that their profession demanded “by its very nature the unquestioned spirit of allegiance and sacrifice embodied in the oath you have all taken today.”
“But don’t you ever forget, your nation will stand united behind you. The state, despite calls of economy and austerity, is providing the defence forces all possible resources needed for making the defence of the country impregnable.”
Premier Nawaz reminded cadets that without a strong economy, rule of law and containment of terrorism, a credible defence could not be sustained. “Therefore, we have to work together as a nation to achieve these goals,” he urged.
“Your professional competence and concern for training and welfare of your under-command will earn you their respect and leadership. We all know that your soldiers will smilingly offer the greatest sacrifice under your command,” he told the graduating cadets.
The prime minister also lauded the excellence of PMA, its faculty members and staff and said it was ‘rightfully considered a cradle of leadership’.
“It is here, that the art of transformation is perfected and raw youth is shaped and chiseled into self-assured and responsible army officers. It is here, that trainees imbibe the best values of life to develop into sterling characters,” he said. “Therefore, the standards set here must serve as the touchstones for all officers,” he added.
The premier told the cadets that commissioning in Pakistan Army and becoming a member of the officer corps was a matter of great pride but at the same time, it called for shouldering enormous responsibilities and staying steadfast in the face of heavy odds.
“It calls for character and integrity. Army officers need to be the embodiment of courage, composure and compassion,” he said. “You are duty-bound to uphold the glorious traditions through the strength of your character, commitment and perseverance.”
He said training at PMA had provided them the ‘wherewithal to meet the future challenges successfully’. “These challenges will come in many shapes and forms, and will test the quality of your character. They will not only be technical and professional in nature, but call for material and moral strength in you,” he added.
The prime minister further told them that during all such ‘tests and temptations’, they should not forget the enormous trust the nation has reposed in them.
“[The nation] trusts you and admires you. Therefore, you must prove yourselves equal to that trust and admiration by being a symbol of steadfastness and uprightness,” he said.
He reminded them that they were joining “a proud tradition of valiant warriors like Major Aziz Bhatti shaheed, Captain Sarwar shaheed, Major Muhammad Tufail Shaheed, Lance Naik Mohammad Mehfuz Shaheed and Major Shabir Sharif Shaheed, just to name a few.”
Referring to meritorious services of the army chief, the prime minister told the cadets that they must also keep in their mind the lives and conduct of officers like General Raheel Sharif, “who are only known for their professionalism, patriotism, dedication and commitment to their motherland.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2014.