ISLAMABAD: Twenty-two candidates from Saudi Arabia completed their training at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Asghar Khan Academy at Risalpur on Thursday.
The ceremony took place at the academy, located in the town of Risalpur in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s air forces enjoy cordial relations, with the former having trained many Saudi officers over the years. Last year, a Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) contingent of nearly 180 pilots and air engineering technicians participated in a two-week drill organized by the PAF.
“A total of 115 Aviation Cadets, 10 Gentleman Cadets and 22 Royal Saudi Air Force Cadets graduated at the passing out parade ceremony,” the PAF said in a statement.
“Best Allied Cadet Trophy for 92nd Royal Saudi Air Force Cadets’ Course was won by Royal Saudi Air Force Cadet Fahad Mobarak Al Johani whereas the Best Allied Cadet Trophy for 94th Royal Saudi Air Force Cadets’ Course was awarded to the Royal Saudi Air Force Cadet Waleed Khalid Abdullah Al Turki,” the statement read.
The chief guest, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza awarded branch insignias to the graduating cadets and trophies to the distinction holders.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, was also present at the graduation ceremony.
Islamabad and Riyadh enjoy deep-rooted brotherly and defense ties. In October last year, the naval forces of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia conducted the joint Naseem Al-Bahr 13 exercise in the Arabian Sea with the Saudi F-15 aircraft participating in a missile-firing drill for the first time.
