General Qamar Javed Bajwa says we must try hard to keep flames of war away from region 
n Pakistan Army turned the tide against terrorism in last two decades n Advises cadets never get distracted by fake news and political wrangling n Always respect the democratic institutions.

RAWALPINDI     -    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Saturday emphatically stated that the armed forces with the support of the citizens will never allow any country, group or force to politically or economically destabilise Pakistan.

“Finally, always remain alert and prepared to respond to and defeat all intrigues and conspiracies, hatched against our country with iron fist. The message is clear: The Armed Forces with the support of our citizens will never allow any country, group or force to politically or economically destabilize Pakistan,” Pakistan Army Chief said this while addressing the passing out parade at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul. 

The army chief said Pakistan is a peace loving country. He said Pakistan in its quest for peace has extended sincere and all out efforts to evolve good neighbourly relations with all neighbours and regional countries.

He said we are trying our best to break the political logjam which has denied the countries of South Asia to move forward and resolve all regional and bilateral issues in a peaceful and dignified manner. The army chief stressed that people of South Asia also deserve prosperity and better living conditions. This can only happen with sustained economic growth, development and above all lasting peace, he said. Therefore, we must try hard to keep flames of war away from the region.

He said we must give peace a chance by developing a mechanism to resolve all bilateral issues peacefully. He said we should collectively fight hunger, poverty, illiteracy, population explosion, climate change and disease. General Qamar Javed Bajwa however said Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be construed as its weakness. He said no one should make any mistake about our collective resolve to defend our core interests and every inch of motherland. He reminded that we have paid both in blood and kind to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and integrity.

COAS said Pakistan Army with the full support and confidence of the nation turned the tide against terrorism in the last two decades and ensured that organised terrorism is decisively rooted out from Pakistan. “This is indeed a unique accomplishment that not many countries or armies can claim,” he said. 

Commending the exemplary show of discipline and professionalism by the cadets, the Army Chief expressed the confidence that the prestige, security and safety of our country is in safe hands.

He advised the cadets to always remain focused on their job and never get distracted by fake news and political wrangling in the country. “As a leader, you need to have courage and ability to take difficult decisions and then accept full responsibility. Correct decision-making requires competence and confidence.”

He also advised them to respect the democratic institutions and be always ready to defend the territorial integrity, sovereignty and constitution of Pakistan with their life.

Of the passed-out cadets of 146th PMA Long Course, 34th were from Technical Graduate Course, 65th Integrated Course, 20th Lady Cadet Course and 5th Basic Military Training Course. Cadets from Palestine, Maldives, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Iraq were also among the passed-outs. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa was the chief guest on the occasion.

The COAS reviewed the parade and gave awards to the distinguished cadets. The coveted Sword of Honour was awarded to Academy Senior Under Officer Muhammad Daood Khan of 146th PMA Long Course. The President’s Gold Medal went to Battalion Senior Under Officer Shoaib Akmal of 146th PMA Long Course, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Overseas Gold Medal to Company Senior Under Officer Jaggat Paudal of 146th PMA Long Course from Nepal, Chief of Army Staff Cane to Course Under Officer Mudassir Amin of 34th Technical Graduate Course and Commandant Cane awarded to Course Under Officer Haider Ijaz of 65th Integrated Course, Course Under Officer Zunaira Shafqat of 20th  Lady Cadet Course and Course Junior Under Officer Hira Irfan of 5th Basic Military Training Course.