Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Friday that Pakistan’s relations with the UK were cordial and based on mutual respect, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.  

Addressing the passing-out parade at UK’s Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, as the chief guest, he said he congratulated the cadets who had passed out today.

The army chief on Friday became the first Pakistani dignitary who was invited to the UK military academy’s function as the chief guest.

General Bajwa said that in order to face the challenges of today, youth should take advantage of the modern technology. "Your alma mater is, without any doubt, one of the finest military institutions in the world which has produced some of the great military leaders that this world has seen," he said.

The COAS began his address by saying that it was a “great honour and privilege” for him to be present during today’s ceremony.

“Two Pakistani cadets will also be graduating with you today and let me say that I am as proud of you as I am of them,” he told the graduating officers and congratulated them and their families.

Apart from cadets from the UK, 41 international cadets from 26 various countries, including two from Pakistan Military Academy — Cadet Muhammad Abdullah Babar and Cadet Mujtaba —passed out.

Gen Bajwa said that his presence at the academy today was a “testimony” of the relationship shared by Pakistan and UK “based on mutual respect and shared values”.

“Similarly, the bond between the two armed forces is uniquely special and has been kept alive over the years through close professional contact in training and other military activities,” he remarked.

General Bajwa was accompanied at the parade by Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar and Pakistan High Commission’s Military Attache Colonel Rana Asif Khan.

Earlier, COAS inspected the parade and was given the guard of honour. 

Following is the text of the speech delivered by Army Chief Gen Bajwa: 

General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of General Staff, British Army, Major General Duncan Capps, Commandant Royal Military Academy, General Officers, Excellences, Distinguished Guests, Faculty Members, Ladies and Gentlemen and my Dear Officer Cadets.

Assalam-o-Alaikum &  Good Morning

It is indeed a unique honor and great privilege for me to be at Sovereign’s Day Parade at Sandhurst . First and foremost, let me congratulate all graduating cadets and their families on successful completion of training at the academy.

Sandhurst, for over 200 years has groomed young boys and girls from United Kingdom, Common Wealth Countries and Royalty from across the globe – your alma mater is without a doubt, one of the finest military institutions in the world which has produced some of the greatest military leaders that this world has seen. Graduating from Sandhurst is of course a matter of great honor and pride. Today, I see that pride on your beaming faces, just as I see it reflected on the faces of your loved ones sitting across the square. You all deserve this moment of fulfillment - you, for the remarkable hard work and dedication, and your families, for all the patience and support that was lent to you by them. 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.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My presence here today bears testimony to the deep-rooted relationship that exists between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, based on mutual respect and shared values which have been carefully nurtured by both nations over many decades. Our huge Pakistani diaspora in United Kingdom displays the strength of our historic relationship. I am sure that this relationship will scale greater heights in times to come.  

Similarly, the bondage between the two armed forces is uniquely special as well, forged on the battlefields of Great Wars and kept alive over the years through exclusive regimental affiliations and close professional contact in training and a myriad of other military activities.

My Dear Officer-Cadets!

This day marks the beginning of your formal military service, which is the most distinguished and the noblest of professions. As we celebrate your success today, let me remind you of the responsibilities and the great expectations associated with you by this alma-mater and your respective nations.

The journey that awaits you is challenging as well as exciting. The demands of professional military service will be much high as you grow in service. You need to equip yourselves with lofty attributes of leadership, with clear sense of purpose, to gain respect and trust of your subordinates It is only through development of unwavering trust and confidence that you can instill Esprit-de-Corps in your under command, which will hold you together in times of crisis.

Remember, that no one is born with professional knowledge, it has to be acquired through constant pursuit. Without it, you cannot achieve professional competence, which in turn is the hallmark of successful military leadership.

As a leader today, you need to have courage and ability to take difficult decisions and then accept full responsibility. Correct decision-making requires competence and confidence, which can only be acquired through high class military education, rigorous training and continuous study of military history. In the words of Sir Basil Liddle Hart and I quote “An officer who has not studied military history as science, is of little use beyond the rank of a captain”.

You must also understand that persona of a just and impartial commander, who exhibits merit in dispensation of reward and punishment, is the one who will earn unconditional loyalty and obedience of their under command.