ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa addressed the passing out parade of a diverse group of cadets at Kakul’s Pakistan Military Academy on Saturday, and said the army would defend Pakistan’s ‘democratic values,’ according to a media handout by the ISPR, the military’s PR wing.

Cadets from Palestine, Maldives, Qatar and Sri Lanka were also among the passed out courses. 

Addressing the ceremony, the army chief said Pakistan’s military was a distinguished and accountable institution that would defend Pakistan’s democratic values “to the hilt.” He added the army would continue to support the government when asked to, in accordance with the laws of the constitution.

Pakistan’s powerful military has ruled Pakistan for about half of the country’s history. Last month, the country’s opposition parties launched a new platform to protest against Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government and to make a rare denunciation of the military for meddling in political matters.

COAS Bajwa said Pakistan’s army had defeated terrorism and its enemies on the battlefield, including “giving a bloody nose” to an enemy five times bigger in February last year-- in a veiled reference to neighbouring rival India when an attack in Pulwama led to an intense military standoff between the two countries that resulted in a downed Indian jet.

“Having failed and feeling frustrated, our enemies have subjected us to a 24/7 hybrid war. This war is fought not on the battlefield but in the mind,” Bajwa continued.

“The objective of hybrid war is to target the sense of hope and to perpetuate the perception of ‘Nothing good can happen here.’
Let me tell you, everything good will happen here,” the army chief said, amid thundering applause.

“I count it as a great honour that we stand before the nation as a trusted and accountable institution. Therefore regardless of our failings and triumphs, we stand to give our best whenever we are called upon to do so,” he said.

The army chief also handed out awards to the parade’s most distinguished cadets. The much coveted sword of honour was awarded to Academy Senior Under Officer Muhammad Faateh of the 142nd PMA Long Course.