Nation, forces united to eliminate terrorism: COAS

F.P. Report

KAKUL: The Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Saturday that the nation and armed forces are united in one objective, which is eliminating terrorism.

The COAS was addressing the passing out parade of 137th PMA Long Course, 8th Mujahid Course and 56th Integrated Course held at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul.

General Bajwa was the chief guest on the occasion, where he reviewed the parade and gave awards to top cadets.

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

In his address, the army chief said that the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad is not merely an operation, but an ideology.

“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 Balochistan and 31 from FATA,” he said.

The army chief said that the operation is guided by the collective resolve and belief that the forces won’t relent until the last terrorist is eliminated from Pakistani soil.

COAS Bajwa said that due to the result of the past and ongoing operations, Pakistan has eliminated all organised presence of terrorists from its soil and now is going after the residual and scattered traces of it.

“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,” said the army chief.

He said that the as the army chief he is happy to see the progress the armed forces have made so far, attributing it to the willing sacrifices of Pakistani people in general and Pashtun tribesmen of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA in particular.

The COAS mentioned that Pakistan is also committed to peace and Intra-Afghan reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan at all bilateral and multilateral forums.

The army chief congratulated the cadets on the passing out, saying: “You are being commissioned in Pakistan Army at a time when Pakistan is facing enormous challenges both in conventional and sub-conventional domains. 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.”

In the parade, 31 cadets from FATA, 67 cadets from Balochistan and six Allied cadets from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were also among passing out cadets.

The Sword of Honour was awarded to academy senior under Officer Syed Hasnain Ali of 137th Long Course. The President’s Gold Medal was given to Battalion Senior Under Officer Abdul Wahab Malik of 137th Long Course, and the Overseas Gold Medal to Academy Under Officer Saud from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of 137th Long Course.