RISALPUR: President Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan is a peace loving country but is fully prepared and capable of responding to any aggression.
Addressing the passing-out parade of cadets at PAF academy Asghar Khan in Risalpur on Thursday, he pointed out that the glorious past of the armed forces was witnessed to the fact that the sons of the soil defended the motherland with sweat and blood.
“Pakistan follows the policy of friendly relations with all its neighbours. We desire to establish warm relations based on mutual respect with the international community,” he maintained.
Alvi said that Pakistan had rendered immense sacrifices both in terms of human and material in the war against terrorism. “We stand firmly committed to this cause and will not allow any anybody to misinterpret our intent and actions.”
He said that Pakistan was facing both internal and external challenges and vowed to overcome them through cohesive approach. “Our struggle against terrorism has played a vital role for regional peace and security. Our armed forces displayed immaculate harmony in the operations against terrorism.”
Heaping praise on the Pakistan Air Force, the president said that the PAF had played a leading role in annihilating sanctuaries of terrorists.
Alvi noted that the graduating cadets had been trained in line with the finest traditions set by the great air warriors of the past and expressed the confidence that they would set new records in the line of duty. He asked the cadets to demonstrate professionalism to maintain the status of being second to none as envisioned by the founding father.
The president acknowledged the efforts of PAF towards indigenization, saying: “The government will fully support all such efforts and provide resources to equip the armed forces will latest technology to ensure national defence.”
Earlier, the president distributed medals among outstanding cadets. The coveted Sword of Honor was received by cadet Zeeshan Ashraf.
The president also inspected a guard of honour. On the occasion, the PAF aircraft presented fly past and breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers.
The ceremony was attended by Air Chief Mujahid Anwar and the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan.
Published in Daily Times, October 19th 2018.
