The golden jubilee commemoration of Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) was held at the complex on Thursday. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza was the chief guest on the occasion, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to a press release issued by ISPR, the ceremony was attended by the ambassador of Ukraine and Defence Attaché of Peoples Republic of China in Pakistan along with key officials of their state companies UKRSPECEXPORT and NORINCO, senior officials of Pakistan Army including Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and various serving and retired military and civil officials of the HIT. The dignitaries were familiarized with the historical evolution of HIT, its various indigenous defence products and technological collaborations. 

On this occasion, Maj Gen Syed Aamer Raza, Chairman HIT, highlighted the achievements of HIT and its contribution to the defence industry by pursuing self-reliance for the country. In separate video messages, Chairman NORINCO Group – Peoples Republic of China, Deputy Director-General UKROBORONPROM and Director-General UKRSPECEXPORT – Ukraine, conveyed their felicitations to the HIT on accomplishing 50 years as a successful industry and expressed their desire for achieving future goals through sustained mutual collaboration. 

The CJCSC congratulated the HIT, NORINCO and UKRSPECEXPORT (USE) in achieving hallmarks of excellence, besides establishing exemplary relations of mutual cooperation in Tank Technologies during the last five decades. He appreciated the untiring endeavours of HIT Chairman, its officers and skilled workforce, who are striving hard to make it a premium defence industry organisation. While highlighting the changing strategic and security environment across the globe, the CJCSC emphasised the need for further collaborative efforts with technology partners in the field of “Research and Development” with a special emphasis on indigenisation.

During the ceremony, CJCSC also handed over the scroll to the commanding officer of the 2nd Regiment of Army being equipped with Tank Al-Khalid 1. 

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed earlier on Thursday between NORINCO, China and Margalla Heavy Industries Taxila to further expand commercial activities utilizing HIT’s potential.

The HIT golden jubilee celebration gains more significance as it takes place during the same year when Pakistan and China are celebrating their 70th anniversary of friendship and diplomatic ties.