ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan army cadet has been named the “Overall Best Foreign Military Cadet” at Australia’s Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon, Pakistan’s army said on Wednesday, underscoring longstanding defense ties and military training exchanges between the two countries.
The award was conferred on Cadet Sardar Arsam Abbas of the Pakistan Military Academy’s 152 Long Course during the graduation parade held at RMC Duntroon in Canberra on Monday, according to Pakistan military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Duntroon is one of the country’s premier officer training institutions.
“The award is conferred upon the highest performing foreign military cadet across all facets of training,” the ISPR said in a statement, adding that Pakistani cadets had now received the “Overall Best Foreign Military Cadet” distinction on 14 occasions.
Pakistan and Australia have maintained military training exchanges for years, with Pakistani officers and cadets regularly attending courses at RMC Duntroon.
According to the ISPR, seven Pakistan Army officers have served as platoon commanders at the academy since 2013, while 46 Pakistani cadets have graduated from the institution since 2009.
The ISPR statement also referenced Lt. Nasir Hussain Khalid Sehrai, a former recipient of the award who was killed during operations in Pakistan’s North Waziristan district in 2020. The military said his name is inscribed on a memorial stone at the RMC parade ground.
