“Pakistan with 60% population less than 25 years of age and huge talent at all tiers has a very bright future despite some tough times the country is currently passing through,” Pakistan War College head General Noel Israel Khokhar told a gathering of Pakistan community.
General Khokhar, who is heading an-18 member delegation of National Defence University, during a reception, told Pakistani community members that there was no need to be pessimistic about the future of the country.
“We are nation of brave people and know how to face the challenges and keeping in view the energy, economic and law and order crises should not discourage us as a nation,” General Khokhar asserted, adding that the Pakistan Army, like the entire nation, had stood behind the democracy and the elected Government which had completed five years term for the first time.
“Each great nation has had faced such times as you can build institutions brick by brick and not overnight. We have to be tolerant, vigilant and committed to the cause of welfare and well being of people of Pakistan,” he added.
Pakistan Ministry of Defense delegation, which also includes one officer each from Jordan and China, on its first leg of two nation official tour is in Bahrain and held talks with the top military brass and reviewed the bilateral ties. The delegation will also visit Federal Republic of Germany before returning home after 10-day visit to both countries.
Highlighting the importance of the National Defense University’s contribution in equipping the Pakistan Armed Forces and civilian officers with necessary knowledge and skills before they assume leadership roles, General Khokhar said, the NDU produces finest leaders and also offer training opportunities to brotherly nations. “This year we have 40 officers from various brotherly countries and Chinese and Jordanian officers are accompanying us during this visit,” he said.
Referring to Bahrain, he said Bahrain-Pakistan ties go back to many decades as both countries have identity of views on major national and international issues. “I am impressed with the hospitality of Bahraini brethren since I arrived in Bahrain which translates into bilateral deep rooted ties,” General Khokhar said.
“We have very good relations in defense sector and have had strong working relationship in military, navy and air force and these ties are getting stronger through continuous review and working side by side in major areas,” he said.
Such bilateral visits, General Khokhar said, will help to further strengthen the bonds between the two sides. “We are working very closely in defense, trade, investment and other areas to further improve the time testing ties between the two sides,” he said.
Charge d’Affaires at Pakistan Embassy Aurangzeb in his welcome remarks termed the Kingdom of Bahrain as a second home for Pakistanis.
“We are at home as we don’t feel like living or serving abroad, thanks to the leadership and people of Bahrain,” he said.
“Over 100000 Pakistan community members are working shoulder to shoulder with their Bahraini counterparts for the progress, prosperity and development of the Kingdom of Bahrain,” he said.