Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday lauded the Pakistan Navy’s professionalism and its role in safeguarding the country’s maritime frontiers as he addressed the passing-out parade at the Pakistan Naval Academy PNS Rahbar. Serving as the chief guest, the prime minister inspected the parade and commended the academy’s high professional standards. He also welcomed the participation of cadets from friendly countries, describing it as a reflection of Pakistan’s growing defence cooperation with partner states.
Graduation Ceremony and Awards
A total of 125 midshipmen and cadets of the 33rd Short Service Commission graduated during the ceremony, including trainees from Bahrain, Iraq and Djibouti. Officer Cadet Alveera Hamza received the Commandant Gold Medal, while Officer Cadet Hafiz Muhammad Ahmed Munawar was awarded the Chief of Defence Forces Gold Medal. The Academy Dirk was presented to Midshipman Hadi Abbas Khan, while Midshipman Umar Mukhtar received the honorary sword for outstanding overall performance.
PM’s Address to Graduating Cadets
Addressing the graduating cadets, the prime minister said their success was a matter of pride for the nation and expressed confidence that they would uphold the highest standards of professionalism in serving the country. He said the Pakistan Naval Academy had established itself as a premier institution producing highly trained officers who would contribute significantly to the country’s defence and maritime security.
The premier said the Pakistan Navy was not only a strong defensive force but also played an important role in promoting peace and stability in the region. He reiterated that Pakistan remained committed to resolving disputes through dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful engagement. Referring to the prevailing global situation, Mr Sharif said peace and international cooperation had become more important than ever. He added that the sacrifices of the armed forces and the support of the people remained Pakistan’s greatest strength.
Diplomatic Engagement and Regional Peace
The prime minister also said Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagement involving the United States and Iran reflected Islamabad’s commitment to promoting regional peace. He said the understanding reached between Washington and Tehran was a positive development and added that Pakistan’s relations with Iran would be further strengthened following the recent visit of the Iranian president.
