ISLAMABAD: Military cadets from Saudi Arabia who completed their training from Pakistan’s Military Academy were recognized on Saturday as part of a passing out parade held in Kakul, Abbottabad.
The 46 Saudi national recruits were joined by others from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Palestine and Libya. “Cadets of the 138th PMA Long Course, 57th Integrated Course, 30th Technical Graduate Course and Grade 37 got commissioned as officers today,” Pakistan’s military media wing, ISPR, said in a statement.
The Saudi cadets will now join the Kingdom’s armed forces, a tweet by the Saudi embassy in Islamabad confirmed. The ISPR statement did not divulge any further details, such as the number of Saudi cadets participating in the program. However, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Zubair Mehmood Hayat, recognized the most distinguished trainees by awarding them for their performance.
Congratulating the cadets on their accomplishment, he said: “You will be fortunate to command the soldiers who are known for their unflinching loyalty and sense of sacrifice. Our soldiers are known for delivering best results in the most challenging environment.”
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Brigadier Ali bin Muhammad Al-Safwan, Commander of Arar forces in Saudi Arabia, were among some of the distinguished guests who attended the ceremony.
Saudi cadets complete military training in Pakistan
Saudi cadets complete military training in Pakistan
- 46 Saudi cadets join other nationals from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Palestine and Libya in passing out parade
- Ceremony attended by Saudi envoy to Pakistan and Brig. Al-Safwan, among others
Pakistan police tighten New Year’s Eve security in capital, warn of jail time for aerial firing
- More than 350 traffic policemen have been deployed to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow
- New Year celebrations in Pakistan witness heightened security to prevent one-wheeling, rash driving
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s capital police warned on Wednesday anyone engaging in aerial firing on New Year’s Eve in Islamabad could face jail time, as authorities deployed more than 350 traffic officers to ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow.
Around eight special traffic squads have been formed to curb one-wheeling and rash driving, according to Pakistani state media. The report quoted an Islamabad traffic police spokesperson urging parents to prevent minors from underage driving.
New Year’s Eve in Pakistan sees heightened security in major cities such as Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, with authorities increasing police presence to control incidents like aerial firing that have caused deaths in the past.
“Whoever fires in the air will go straight to jail,” said the law enforcement department in a post on X. “Islamabad Police will take strict action against those who fire in the air.”
The post said the police were “determined to ensure security and traffic flow on the occasion of the New Year.”
“One-wheeling is a crime that inevitably results in lifelong disability or loss of precious lives,” it added.
According to a report by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), heavy vehicles will be barred from entering Islamabad between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. It added that parking on roads will be prohibited, and police will remain on duty throughout the night.
Aerial firing is a common but dangerous practice in Pakistan during celebrations, and it has caused several fatalities in the past.
More than 20 people including two women were injured in multiple incidents of aerial firing in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on the last New Year’s Eve.
According to data compiled by Karachi Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed, 19 people were injured due to aerial firing in 2020, 11 in 2021, 20 in 2022, 40 in 2023 and 26 in 2024.
