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KAKUL, (MANEND NEWS): Chief of the Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday assured that the country’s armed forces have the “will, capability and capacity” to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and soldiers “don’t get fascinated with the numbers or resources of their adversaries”.
General Munir made the remarks at the passing out parade of cadets from the 147th PMA Long Course, 13th Mujahid Course, 66th Integrated Course, 6th Basic Military Training Course and 21st Lady Cadet Course was held at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul.
A day earlier, the military’s media wing clarified that former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa’s “off the record” claims about the Pakistan army’s “combat worthiness” were “quoted out of context” in the media.
The clarification by the ISPR comes almost a week after journalist Hamid Mir claimed in an interview on a local news channel that former chief of army staff “Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa told 20-25 journalists in 2021 that the Pakistan Army was not capable of combat”.
“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,” the COAS stated today.
The army chief added that our efforts for peace should “never be taken as a sign of weakness”.
He also congratulated the passing out cadets, their parents, guardian and mentors and said that “PMA has remained the cradle of leadership and centre of excellence for cadets joining this premier institution from within and across the world”.
“Today’s parade yet again proves the professionalism, superior ethos and glorious traditions of the academy and Pakistan Army alike,” he said.
General Munir further urged the cadets to remain focused on what the country and nations expect from the armed forces.
“First and 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 furthered.
The COAS further assured the nation that the army will never hesitate in “rendering any and every sacrifice necessary for the defence of our sacred motherland”
“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,” Gen Munir furthered.
The army chief also said that the armed forces of Pakistan will never shy away from any sacrifice to stabilize, secure and safeguard the future of our next generations.
The COAS added that stability, security and peace in Afghanistan remain fundamental to Pakistan’s security.
Talking about the Kashmir issue, the army chief added that “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 said.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), cadets from Palestine, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Sri Lanka were also among the passing out cadets.
Gen Munir, who was the chief guest on the occasion, reviewed the parade and gave awards to 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, the commandant’s 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.