In an impressive Passing out Parade held at Pakistan Naval Academy today, 94 officers including seven females were commissioned to join regular Naval Force. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir was the chief guest on the occasion.
Addressing the parade, Admiral Noman Bashir lauded the participation of women in Armed forces and said that the 4th Batch of female officers as part of parade not only signifies the self assurance of Pakistani women in their abilities but also their will to step into seafaring profession which was an exclusively male preserve in the past.
The Naval Chief said that Pakistan today is beset with numerous challenges. The scourge of terrorism continues to plague our national efforts towards a progressive and prosperous nation. However, he said that 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.
Addressing the graduating officers, the Naval Chief said that the Naval Warfare has become an exceedingly vast and complex domain which demands thorough knowledge and ingenuity. Remaining abreast with the developments, both in weaponry and doctrinal concepts is the need of time but modern weaponry alone does not guarantee success. It requires high professional skills and undeterred will to accomplish assigned tasks against all odds.
Earlier in his welcome address Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy Commodore Ayaz Ahmed Nasir highlighted the salient features of training at Pakistan Naval Academy. He apprised that the commissioning term include six officers from Palestine and eight from Saudi Arabia along with 32 Short Service Commissioned officers including seven females.
Later, the Chief Guest awarded prizes to the winners Midshipman Zeeshan Javed was awarded Sword of Honor for best performance. Academy’s Dirk was grabbed by Midshipman Saad Sohail Malik. For best all round performance, Quaid-e-Azam Gold Medal was awarded to Lt. M Wahab Usama and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gold Medal went to Cadet Mohsin Saeed. Commandant Gold Medal was given to Cadet Beenish Zaidi. Cadet Tharawat JH Jamalan from Palestine Navy received the CNS Gold Medal and was declared the best all round allied cadet.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of Armed Forces officers, foreign diplomats and families of the graduating officers.
