Hostile agencies working to create unrest in Pakistan: CJCSC

KARACHI: Pakistan is fully aware of threats from hostile intelligence agencies, which are operating from Afghanistan and other locations to create unrest in Pakistan in general and Balochistan in particular, and their designs to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are also well-known.

This was stated by General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, in his address as chief guest to a commissioning parade held at the Pakistan Naval Academy, PNS RAHBAR, on Saturday.

Upon his arrival, the chief guest was received by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah.

A Pakistan Navy statement said the 107th Midshipmen and 16th Short Service Commission Course Commissioning Parade comprised 72 Pakistani and 28 officers from friendly countries. General Hayat said Pakistan is committed to undertaking synergetic efforts at the national level to deal with the challenges and the armed forces have a pivotal role to play.

He said Pakistan seeks harmonious and peaceful co-existence with all countries, especially our neighbours. However, he said, Pakistan’s quest for peace and stability has to be in consonance with our national interest, sovereign rights and national pride.

“We desire to work with our allies, friends and partners to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity to the region and beyond,” he added.

General Hayat said that rapid development of the CPEC, Gwadar as its pivot, maritime security all along the coast had assumed added significance.

He also said that it was satisfying to note that the Pakistan Navy had raised Task Force-88 for the maritime security of the CPEC and the Gwadar port to address conventional and sub-conventional threats.

He added that in the current scenario a potent and modern navy was indispensable to address the challenges in the maritime domain.

Congratulating and extending felicitations on achieving this milestone, the chief guest urged the graduating officers to hold fast to the qualities of honour, integrity and selfless devotion. He encouraged them to develop trust and confidence in their team and instill in them a true spirit of unity of purpose.

He expressed his satisfaction in noting that the Pakistan Navy was extending support for training future officers of friendly nations. He hoped that they would prove worthy of their mettle in their respective navies.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the commandant of the Pakistan Naval Academy highlighted the salient features of the officers training. He informed the audience that the commissioning term comprised 80 Midshipmen, including 52 from Pakistan and 28 from allied countries. He added that 20 cadets from a Short Service Commission Officers batch were also being passed out.

The commandant highlighted that cadets from Bahrain, Jordan, Maldives, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan were also undergoing training at the Pakistan Naval Academy.

Later, the chief guest gave away prizes to the winners. Midshipman Ahmed Faraz was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour for his overall best performance. Midshipman Sarmad Arif won the Academy’s Dirk, Cadet Muhammad Fazal Kabeer clinched the Commandant Gold Medal and Cadet Syed Irtaza Haider Naqvi was given Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gold Medal. Cadet Akmadov Mamet from Turkmenistan was awarded Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal. The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior military officers, ambassadors, defence attaches of various countries, civil dignitaries and parents of passing-out midshipmen and cadets.