Military ties: First batch of Afghan cadets to join PMA
A high-level Afghan military delegation is also in Pakistan on a six-day visit
Afghan army cadets with ambassador Janan Mosazai in Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Six Afghan National Army (ANA) cadets arrived in Islamabad on Thursday to join Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul in Abbottabad for an 18-month long military training course, the Afghan embassy said.
This is the first ever group of ANA cadets that will undergo training at the PMA. Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai welcomed the cadets at the embassy upon their arrival from Kabul.
“These six cadets represent the steady and solid quantitative as well as qualitative growth and development of Afghanistan’s security forces over the past decade,” said Ambassador Mosazai.
“They take great pride in providing security to the Afghan people and defending the country against external threats, and in return enjoy the strong backing and support of the entire Afghan nation”
The arrival of the six Afghan cadets coincides with a six-day visit by a high-level five-member Afghan military delegation — led by Maj Gen Nematullah Khushiwal, director general of training, education and doctrine, Afghan National Army.
“The induction of these cadets in PMA Kakul is an important step for both the countries and a sign of growing military-to-military contacts. Furthermore, efforts are carried out to strengthen, broaden and deepen security and particularly military-to-military relations and cooperation in all areas,” the Afghan ambassador said.
Highlighting their role as ambassadors of the country in their own individual right, Ambassador Mosazai asked the cadets to establish close and long-lasting ties of professional and personal friendship with their Pakistani counterparts as well as with students from other friendly countries attending PMA.
Former President Hamid Karzai had long opposed Afghan forces training in Pakistan in spite of Pakistan’s repeated requests.
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif had offered training for Afghan forces during his visit to Kabul.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2015.
Six Afghan National Army (ANA) cadets arrived in Islamabad on Thursday to join Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul in Abbottabad for an 18-month long military training course, the Afghan embassy said.
This is the first ever group of ANA cadets that will undergo training at the PMA. Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai welcomed the cadets at the embassy upon their arrival from Kabul.
“These six cadets represent the steady and solid quantitative as well as qualitative growth and development of Afghanistan’s security forces over the past decade,” said Ambassador Mosazai.
“They take great pride in providing security to the Afghan people and defending the country against external threats, and in return enjoy the strong backing and support of the entire Afghan nation”
The arrival of the six Afghan cadets coincides with a six-day visit by a high-level five-member Afghan military delegation — led by Maj Gen Nematullah Khushiwal, director general of training, education and doctrine, Afghan National Army.
“The induction of these cadets in PMA Kakul is an important step for both the countries and a sign of growing military-to-military contacts. Furthermore, efforts are carried out to strengthen, broaden and deepen security and particularly military-to-military relations and cooperation in all areas,” the Afghan ambassador said.
Highlighting their role as ambassadors of the country in their own individual right, Ambassador Mosazai asked the cadets to establish close and long-lasting ties of professional and personal friendship with their Pakistani counterparts as well as with students from other friendly countries attending PMA.
Former President Hamid Karzai had long opposed Afghan forces training in Pakistan in spite of Pakistan’s repeated requests.
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif had offered training for Afghan forces during his visit to Kabul.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2015.