Karachi -A total of 137 naval officers graduated on Saturday at an impressive ceremony held at the Pakistan Naval Academy. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandila was the chief guest on the occasion.
The graduating class comprised of 104 midshipmen, including 16 from allied countries, and 33 Short Service Commission officers including 10 females.
Addressing the ceremony, Sandila said, “Today as a nation we are cautiously navigating through many challenges and Pakistan Navy is no exception to it. We have to be mindful of the growing maritime capability in our region. We have to be geared up and ever ready to counter piracy, terrorism and extremism in the ocean region of our interest and for maintenance of global peace on the high seas. Most importantly we must guard against the internal threat, which perhaps is the most challenging at the moment.”
The Naval Chief was of the view that Art and Science of warfare are easily taught and learnt but harnessing the mantle of leadership is not a classroom subject. “There may be born leaders, but there is none amongst you who lacks the essential makeup of a leader. The inherent prerequisite of your brand of leadership mandates that those who follow you need to trust you to the extent of putting their lives at risk when required. Your calling is leading from the front and this implies wearing an invisible badge of honour that is all too visible to your followers through the prism of your confidence, calmness and competence,” he added.
The chief guest urged the passing out officers to keep abreast of the emerging technologies, new age weapons and concepts of technology driven warfare. He also extended his felicitations to the officers and their parents.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy said that young cadets of brother countries of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Nigeria, Palestine, Sudan and Yemen are also being trained at the Pakistan Naval Academy.
Later, the chief guest awarded prizes to the cadets who displayed outstanding performances and earned distinctions. For the best overall performance, Midshipman Sayyaf Pasha was presented the coveted Sword of Honour. PNA Dirk was accorded to midshipman Hassan Noor. Commandant gold medal was awarded to cadet Ayesha Bint-e-Rafique whereas Cadet Roheel Shahzad received the Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee gold medal. Allied cadet Ahmed Nazwan grabbed CNS Gold Medal and Fox’l squadron received proficiency banner for its overall best performance.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior naval officers, ambassadors, officers from sister services, civil dignitaries and parents and relatives of the passing out officers.
Via: http://www.nation.com.pk/
