KARACHI: A total of 1,045 trainees from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Pakistan Navy and allied countries graduated from the PAF Airmen Academy, Korangi Creek, during a passing-out parade held on Wednesday.
Air Vice Marshal Akhtar Imran Saddozai, Air Officer Commanding Southern Air Command, attended the ceremony as chief guest and reviewed the parade. He was received on arrival by Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Shahid Afzaal, Air Officer Commanding PAF Airmen Academy.
Addressing the graduating trainees, Air Vice Marshal Saddozai said the PAF had earned international recognition as a highly professional and combat-capable force through its operational excellence and commitment to national defence.
He said the academy was training airmen in line with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff to meet the requirements of evolving multi-domain operations and emerging security challenges.
Referring to the country’s security environment, he said the PAF remained fully prepared to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and would continue to stand alongside the armed forces in defending the nation.
The air officer highlighted the growing importance of advanced technologies in modern warfare, including space, cyber and electronic warfare capabilities, unmanned aerial systems and long-range strike platforms. He said future conflicts would increasingly be shaped by niche and disruptive technologies, requiring continuous innovation and adaptation.
He also noted that the Pakistan Air Force had embarked on a path of indigenisation under the National Aerospace and Technology Parks initiative to strengthen indigenous technological capabilities.
During the ceremony, Aircraftman Muhammad Anas Arshad received the Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for overall best performance.
The Asghar Khan Trophy for best performance in aeronautics was awarded to Aircraftman Muhammad Abu Bakar, while Aircraftman Mehmood Hassan received the Nur Khan Trophy for excellence in aero avionics technology.
The Air Officer Commanding Trophy for best performance in general service training was awarded to Academy Sergeant Aircraftman Muhammad Arsalan.
The trophy for best-performing foreign trainee was presented to Lance Corporal Ezzeldeen Khaled Al-Deik of Jordan.
Congratulating the graduating trainees and their families, the chief guest expressed confidence in their future contributions and wished them success in their professional careers. He also commended the academy’s instructional staff for their dedication and role in maintaining high training standards.
