RISALPUR, (MILLAT ONLINE/APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
Tuesday said “cooperation rather than conflict” were the hallmarks
of Pakistan’s policy of maintaining friendly relations, with other
countries, particularly its neighbours.
Addressing the passing out parade of graduates here at the PAF
Academy Asghar Khan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was a peace
loving country pursuing a policy of a peaceful neighborhood.
The Prime Minister said “shared prosperity rather than mutual
suspicion should be among its defining features. Pakistan, for its
part will never hesitate to extend the hand of friendship to all and
shall never waver from returning goodwill with even more goodwill.”
“Cooperation rather than conflict should be its hallmark. This
is in line with the vision of our founding father,” he said.
The Prime Minister said at the same time, “despite our earnest
desire for peaceful coexistence, we cannot afford to remain
oblivious to defending our sovereignty and protecting our
independence.”
The Prime Minister said the concept of national security has
undergone a transformation and wars were no longer an exclusive
sphere of military forces.
“As long as nations strive to preserve their way of life,
ideological identity and economic interests, wars will continue to
be waged in different domains,” he added.
Prime Minister Sharif urged the young graduates to dedicate
their energies to make Pakistan fully secure and a well defended
country. “The whole nation stands behind you,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan’s armed forces were fully
capable and prepared to respond to any spectrum of threats and
pointed out that recent operations have brought tremendous improvement
in the internal security environment.
He said the Pakistan Air Force alongside guarding the air
space of the country has played a critical role in Operation
Zarb-e-Azb.
He said true to its tradition of defending national interests
at every frontier, it has given an excellent account of itself in
the fight against terrorists.
“The nation acknowledges and commends the valour and
outstanding professionalism exhibited by the PAF and it’s leadership
at all tiers,” he added.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the profession of arms
demands perseverance and hard work. The unprecedented pace of
development in military technology puts an additional onus on you.
“You must not leave any stone unturned in the performance of
your duties and to continuously improve and hone your skills and
expertise,” the Prime Minister said.
There are no shortcuts to success, he said and pointed that
the only way forward was hard work.
“It is only relentless commitment that would make you excel
and prosper in your careers. It should be your passion, as defenders
of Pakistan’s air space, to pursue professional commitments with
unswerving zeal and determination to maintain the country’s air arm
as `second to none’.”
“You must immerse yourselves wholeheartedly in your respective
areas, and devote every ounce of your energies to the cause for
which you have taken a pledge of honor,” Sharif said.
The Prime Minister extended his profound congratulations to
the graduating cadets and the faculty for maintaining highest
standards of excellence and professionalism.
Talking to the PAF graduates the prime minister said; “You are
today inheriting the mantle of heroes past, who despite being
outgunned and outnumbered, defended this land with exemplary courage
and with no regard for their own safety.”
He expressed the hope that they would serve this country with
the same complete commitment, unwavering dedication, and absolute
earnestness of purpose. Only this will justify the trust that your
nation has placed in you, he added.
The Prime Minister said it was a matter of pleasure for him to
be a part of the graduation ceremony of the combined courses of the
College of Flying Training and Aeronautical Engineering.
“The memorable parade I have just witnessed is a testimony to
the highest standards of training and discipline associated with the
PAF Academy.”
Earlier he awarded badges to the successful graduates
of 137 GD(P), 83 Engineering, 93 Air Defence, 18 A&SD, 06 Navigation
and 02 Logistics Courses.
The Prime Minister along with the Chief of Air Staff Sohail
Aman witnessed the march past. Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif,
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, diplomats and
parents attended the event that concluded with a spectacular
aerobatics show by the Sherdil team of PAF.