This was stated by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt while addressing the 97th officers' commissioning parade held at Pakistan Naval Academy here Saturday.

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

Speaking on the occasion, the CAS said that at present we are faced with various maritime challenges and threats like growing menace of piracy and continuous naval build up by the adversary. To meet these challenges, we have to be more proactive and develop insatiable quest for knowledge, he added.

Chief of the Air Staff laid emphasis upon the graduating officers to keep the national interest paramount and never let anything influence their commitment to the national duty bestowed upon them. He extended his felicitation to the commissioning officers upon successful completion of their basic naval training.

He said that it is satisfying to note that besides training young officers in the art of maritime warfare, Pakistan Naval Academy is also inculcating in them core military values of integrity, honour and courage.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy Commodore Muhammad Abid highlighted the salient features of training at Pakistan Naval Academy.

He apprised the audience that the commissioning term comprises 82 regular and 22 Short Service Commission (SSC) officers including 3 females and 5 officers from Palestine.

Later, the chief guest gave away prizes to the winners. Midshipman Shehryar received Sword of Honour for best overall performance. The Academy's Dirk was awarded to Midshipman Zubair Rashid.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gold Medal went to officer cadet Sohail Nazim and the Commandant Gold Medal was awarded to officer cadet Qurrat ul Ain.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of Armed Forces officers, diplomats and families of the graduating officer.