Women now aim to conquer waves of sea

KARACHI—The first ever batch of 22 females sailors along with 1,000 new entry sailors was passed out and formally inducted into Pakistan Navy upon successful completion of 38 weeks rigorous training, a press release said.
The passing out parade was held at PNS Himalaya Tuesday morning. Commodore Muhammad Aslam Rana, the incharge of naval training at Karachi, reviewed the parade as chief guest.
PNS Himalaya is the oldest training establishment of Pakistan Navy since 1970, the unit had been entrusted with important responsibility of training new entrants thus fulfilling requirement of sailors for Pakistan Navy. This is the first time that female trainees have passed out from PNS Himalaya.
Addressing the passing out term, the chief guest said that Pakistan is currently going through a critical phase and is faced with internal and external security threats. In order to meet these challenges, it is imperative to enhance our defence capabilities and maintain minimum credible deterrence He also urged the passing out sailors to be moderate, tolerant and patriotic and to safeguard themselves against moral diseases shortsightedness, racial discrimination and sectarianism,
Commenting on the role of women in nation building, Commodore Rana said that like other fields of life, women are also making significant contribution in the Armed Forces which is important for progress and prosperity of a nation. He hoped that the newly inducted female sailors would prove equal to the task and serve with full devotion and dedication. He also extended his felicitations to the passing out term specially those who displayed outstanding performances and won prizes.
In his welcome address, Commanding Officer PNS Himalaya Captain Tanzeem Akhtar Qadri highlighted silent features of sailors training. He apprised the audience that sailors at PNS Himalaya go through a process of extensive training in tough military environment and trained in small arm firing, sea vessel handling and swimming etc. Besides, professional training, they are also exposed to various sports and co-curricular activities so as to make them a good soldier and a better citizen.
Later, the chief guest away prizes to the winners. Muhammad Asad received Commander Karachi Gold Medal for his overall best performance. Award for the best Tech UT went to Muhammad Sajjad whereas Abdul Aziz received the prize for best Non Tech UT. Awards for the best female sailor and sports were given to Sidra Nazir and Umar Ali respectively. Proficiency banner for best overall performance was given to Khaiber Squadron.
The 130th birth anniversary of the Founder of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was celebrated Monday with great enthusiasm and national spirit, with a change of guard ceremony held here at the Mazar-e-Quaid, when a smartly turned out contingent of the gentlemen/women cadets from the Pakistan Military Academy Kukul mounted on guard duties.
The day dawned with special prayers at mosques for the Quaid’s soul and progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Different educational, social, cultural and political organizations have organised various functions, seminars and declamation contests in all the districts and Tehsil headquarters of the province, in which, speakers will pay tribute to the leaders of Muslims of the subcontinent whose tireless efforts led to the creation of separate homeland Pakistan as an independent Muslim country.
Commandant Kakul Academy, Major General Nadeem Taj, as the guest of honour on this occasion, inspected the guard of honour, laid wreaths and, thereafter, the contingent of the gentlemen/women cadets from the Pakistan Military Academy took over the guard duties from the cadets of the Air Force.
Kakul Academy’s six gentlewomen cadets, who were also included among the guards assuming duties, made history in Pakistan being the first to have this honour. Menawhile Presidnet Muhsrraf addressing on the occasion of 130th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam at his mausoleum here said that Pakistan Military Academy Kakul is producing highly professional military officers.—Agencies