Pakistan army chief hails cadets from Arab and allied nations at Naval Academy graduation

This handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), shows graduating midshipmen during a passing out parade at the Naval Academy in Karachi on June 28, 2025. (Handout/ISPR)
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Updated 28 June 2025
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Pakistan army chief hails cadets from Arab and allied nations at Naval Academy graduation

  • Among the 127 graduating midshipmen were 19 cadets from Bahrain, four from Iraq and two from Palestine
  • The army chief says Pakistan’s response to India standoff showed armed forces ready to defend the country

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on Saturday hailed the presence of cadets from Arab and allied countries at a Naval Academy graduation ceremony, saying it reflected the high standard of training the country offers to its military partners.

The commissioning parade, held in Karachi, marked the completion of the 123rd Midshipmen and 31st Short Service Commission courses.

Among the 127 graduating midshipmen were 19 cadets from Bahrain, four from Iraq and two from the State of Palestine, with additional participants from the Republic of Djibouti and the Republic of Türkiye.

“The Pakistan Naval Academy has consistently provided excellent professional training to cadets from allied nations,” the army chief said, according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).




This handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir addressing a passing out parade at the Naval Academy in Karachi on June 28, 2025. (Handout/ISPR)

“The presence of cadets from Bahrain, Iraq, the State of Palestine, the Republic of Djibouti and the Republic of Türkiye in today’s commissioning parade is a reflection of the Academy’s high training standards,” he added.

Pakistan regularly trains cadets and officers from partner nations and sends its own officers abroad to institutions in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom for advanced military education and joint training.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials from Pakistan and other countries, government representatives and families of the graduating cadets.




This handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), shows graduating midshipmen during a passing out parade at the Naval Academy in Karachi on June 28, 2025. (Handout/ISPR)

In his remarks, the army chief also praised the Navy’s professionalism and its efforts as a regional maritime force committed to securing international sea lines of communication.

He also referenced the recent standoff with India, saying the country’s armed forces had “responded swiftly and decisively against a numerically superior enemy,” and were fully prepared to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty.


Pakistan, China discuss $2.2 billion maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim

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Pakistan, China discuss $2.2 billion maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim

  • The proposal aligns with Pakistan’s push to modernize port infrastructure and link Central Asian trade routes to sea lanes
  • The project may include shipbuilding, shipbreaking and a port-linked steel mill, as authorities streamline port operations

KARACHI: Pakistan and China discussed plans for a large maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim involving up to €2 billion ($2.2 billion) in investment on Thursday, as Islamabad seeks to modernize its ports and position itself as a regional trade and logistics hub, a government statement said.

The proposal comes as Pakistan looks to upgrade port infrastructure to handle higher trade volumes and improve connectivity between sea lanes and landlocked Central Asian states, leveraging its geographic position at the crossroads of South and Central Asia. The effort aligns with the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has underpinned Chinese investment in Pakistan’s energy, transport and infrastructure sectors with the aim of boosting regional connectivity.

The project was discussed during a meeting between a delegation from China’s Shandong Zinxu Group and Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, according to the statement.

“Proposal for a comprehensive maritime industrial complex at Port Qasim was reviewed during the meeting,” Chaudhry said in a statement circulated after the talks.

“The proposed project could involve investment of €1–2 billion,” he added.

Chaudhry said the project under discussion could include the establishment of shipbuilding and shipbreaking facilities, as well as a modern, port-linked steel mill aimed at reducing Pakistan’s reliance on imported steel.

He added that the revival of the steel jetty at Port Qasim would be critical for the project’s viability.

The minister said employment generation, value addition and environmental considerations would be prioritized as part of the proposed investment, which, if approved, could rank among Pakistan’s largest industrial projects.

Pakistan has in recent months stepped up efforts to streamline port operations, including the introduction of artificial intelligence-based technologies to improve efficiency, reduce congestion and speed up cargo handling.

Only a day earlier, the maritime affairs minister met a delegation from Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways to discuss plans to establish a railway station and modern storage facilities at Port Qasim, aimed at improving logistics and cargo movement to and from the port.