Karachi: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir said, “Pakistan today is beset with numerous challenges.”“The scourge of terrorism continues to plague our national efforts towards a progressive and prosperous nation,” he said addressing the passing out parade Monday here at Pakistan Naval Academy, at which 94 officers, including seven females, were commissioned to join regular naval force.Admiral Bashir said he had full conviction that collectively and with dedicated efforts, the nation would surmount the challenge and Pakistan would find its rightful place in the comity of nations.He lauded participation of women in the armed forces and said 4th Batch of female officers as part of parade not only signified self assurance of Pakistani women in their abilities but also their will to step into seafaring profession, which was an exclusive male preserve in the past.Addressing graduating officers, he said naval warfare had become an exceedingly vast and complex domain, which demanded thorough knowledge and ingenuity. Admiral Bashir said remaining abreast with developments, both in weaponry and doctrinal concepts was need of time but modern weaponry alone did not guarantee success. It required high professional skills and undeterred will to accomplish assigned tasks against all odds, he stressed.
In his welcome address, Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy Commodore Ayaz Ahmed Nasir highlighted salient features of training at Pakistan Naval Academy. He said commissioning term included six officers from Palestine, eight from Saudi Arabia along with 32 Short Service Commissioned officers including seven females.Later, naval chief awarded prizes. Mid-shipman Zeeshan Javed was awarded Sword of Honour for best performance. Academy’s Dirk to Mid-shipman Saad Sohail Malik and for best all round performance, Quaid-e-Azam Gold Medal was awarded to Lieutenant M Wahab Usama and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gold Medal went to Cadet Mohsin Saeed. Commandant Gold Medal to Cadet Beenish Zaidi. Cadet Tharawat JH Jamalan from Palestine Navy received CNS Gold Medal and was declared best all round allied cadet. Ceremony was attended by Armed Forces officers, diplomats, families of graduating officers. – Dailytimes
