ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa addressed a passing-out parade at the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) on Friday, during which he congratulated cadets, which included two Pakistanis, for successfully completing their training.
Bajwa arrived in the UK on Thursday during which he met the country’s military officials. He attended the RMAS passing-out parade on Friday.
RMAS trains cadets to take on the responsibility to lead soldiers in battle. Considered one of the finest military academies around the globe, RMAS has trained cadets from several countries.
During his address, Bajwa congratulated the graduating cadets for working hard throughout their time at the academy, paying credit to their families for supporting them consistently.
“Two Pakistani cadets would also be graduating with you today. Let me say that I am as proud of you all, as I am proud of them,” he said.
The army chief emphasized the importance of armies around the world, saying that they should exist to prevent conflict rather than fan it.
“The primary reason for armed forces to exist today, should not be to prosecute wars, but to ensure that they do not take place,” he said.
Pakistan’s army chief urged people to come together and take the route of peace rather than conflict and choose “communication instead of clash and multilateralism instead of self-preservation.”
Bajwa advised cadets to adapt to technological changes in warfare brought about by the industrial revolution, adding that artificial intelligence was altering the course of wars.
“The battlefield of tomorrow would be characterized by extreme precision, lethality and transparency which would be particularly challenging for military leaders, especially young officers in the battle, both mentally and physically,” he explained.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the army chief's address at the UK military academy as the chief guest is a matter of honour not just for Pakistan's armed forces, but the whole country.
"This is a recognition of the Pakistan-UK strategic partnership & the success of our armed forces in war on terror," he wrote on Twitter.
