Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif Monday said the operation Zarb-e-Azb was successfully heading towards complete elimination of terrorism from the country. "There is no doubt that our enemy is on retreat and it has faced great loss, but we have to completely wipe it out," he said while addressing the Annual Parents' Day function at the Cadet College Hasan Abdal.
He said the country was passing through the history's critical phase as it was waging a decisive war against terrorism. "Pakistan's sacrifices and commitment in war against terrorism are unprecedented in the world," he said. Asif said there was no comparison of Pakistan's armed forces in the world, which was evident from the fact that they had made remarkable achievements against terrorists during the last one and a half years. Meanwhile in the neighbouring country, 16 major forces of the world were engaged against the menace for the last 15 years, without achieving their set goals, he added.
"The resolve exhibited by the nation, leadership, armed forces, Rangers, police and other law enforcement agencies against terrorism is remarkable," he said. The Defence Minister said no other country could perform against terrorists like Pakistan's armed forces, who had broken their infrastructure.
He expressed the desire to see Pakistan peaceful, strong and prosperous, saying all-out efforts were being made to achieve the task. Asif, who is also Abdalian, shared some memories of his three-year stay in the college from 1961 to 1964 with cadets. The Abdalians, he said, always played an exceptional role to safeguard the country's frontiers, whether it was of Rann of Kutch, 1965 war or operation Zarb-e-Azb. He said all the financial needs of the college would be met by the federal and Pubjab governments. Some Rs 250 million was needed to meet college's expenditures for next two years, he added.
Principal Cadet College Hasan Abdal Major General Najeeb Tariq (Retd) presented the college's annual report and performance of the cadets. He said the college in its 63-year history had evolved and set golden standards and traditions in shaping personalities and characters of the students. He said philosophy of the academy to personal grooming; character building, self-reliance, time management, leadership qualities, adaptability, courage and proper use of leisure time were part of the strategy being followed here. "The brand Abdalian is the buzzword of excellence and success not only in Pakistan but also abroad," he added.
The Defence Minister distributed medals and appreciation certificates among the students showing excellence in their academic year. Cadets Talha Abdullah and Muhammad Taimur Malik won the golden and silver medals for securing first and second positions in the Secondary School Examination of Rawalpindi Board of Education respectively. The Principal-Cane award went to Muhammad Sibtain Asif, while Syed Muhammad Qasim Sudais bagged the Sword of the Year.
This year's 'Champions Trophy' was awarded to Omer Wing, while the Liaqat Wing lifted the runners-up trophy. Sports and academicians trophies were bagged by Iqbal and Aurangzeb wings respectively. Earlier, cadets from six wings of the college including Omer, Liaqat, Iqbal, Aurangzeb, Haider and Jinnah, besides a flag-party, held a spectacular parade and presented salute to the Defence Minister.
The minister along with the principal reviewed the parade. The cadets also displayed their expertise in physical training, gymnastics, horse-riding, ten-pegging and flying indigenously developed remote controlled planes. The principal also presented the Defence Minister a souvenir and a photograph of his college time.