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Punjab University (PU) commemorated “Surprise Day” with utmost zeal and fervor and various departments took out rallies, chanting slogans to pay tribute to Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army that once again proved Pakistan’s supremacy over India on Feb 27 last year.

The main rally from VC office was led by PU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad and MPA Musarrat Jamshed Cheema in which Pro vice-chancellor Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar, Registrar Dr Muhammad Khalid Khan, heads of various departments, faculty members, employees and a huge number of students participated in the rally. The participants were carrying banners and posters bearing pictures of Pakistan Air Force’s Hassan Siddiqui who shot down an Indian fighter jet. One banner was also inscribed with “India’s Blunder, replied by JF Thunder”.

Addressing the rally outside the Institute of Education and Research, PU vice-chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmad said that Feb 27 was a lesson given to India as well as the international community by Pakistan and it was a ‘Thanksgiving Day’. He said that Pakistan had given a message to the international community that we were a responsible nation. Ahmad said that Pakistan Army followed international laws when the Indian pilot surrendered and gave him the best medical treatment in an emergency and served him tea and food.

Niaz said that Operation Swift Retort was not a surprise for him as he already believed that Pakistan Army had the capacity to live up to its legacy with valor and professional excellence and give a historical lesson to the enemy. He said that Modi was acting like a king who never followed any law and due to Modi’s blatant violations of international and national laws, the whole India was burning today and all the minorities were feeling themselves unsafe. VC said that Pakistan had offered joint investigation regarding Pulwama attacks but India did not accept the offer. He added that the whole nation stood with Pakistan Army.

MPA Musarrat Jamshed Cheema said that Modi’s steps had once again proved that Quid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was right. She said that Kashmir would get independence soon and another Islamic state would emerge out of India.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Saleem Mazhar said that Pakistan Army had removed India’s misunderstanding that she could disturb Pakistan through any misadventure. He said that India was not allowing even its own citizens to live with independence. Earlier, Punjab University VC Prof Niaz Ahmad and MPA Jamshed Cheema also cut a cake to commemorate the first anniversary of Surprise Day. Meanwhile, PU Centre for South Asian Studies organized a seminar to recall the success achieved by the Pakistan’s armed forces over Indian armed forces at its auditorium.

A lecture was delivered by Brig (R) Imran Malik who comprehensively covered the events leading to the events of Balakot and thereafter. He said that these events exposed Indian air forces’ ineptness and lack of professionalism thoroughly. Imran said that Pakistan Navy also exposed Indian Navy’s immature attempt to intrude into Pakistan’s territorial waters and withdrew unceremoniously. He said that Pakistan’s armed forces had revived their commitment to safeguard and secure Pakistan’s independence, territorial integrity and freedom of thought and action. The lecture was concluded by the CSAS Director Professor Dr Umbreen Javaid who also appreciated Pakistan Army and its role in maintaining the strategic balance in the region and how it defended Pakistan against the Indian aggression.

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How To Join Pakistan Military Academy?

How To Join Pakistan Military Academy? But before we proceed to the whole process, let’s learn more about PMA.

Every nation on the globe stands on certain defined cardinals, and those cardinals revolve around a Centre of Gravity. It’s an arbitrary term which is variably disparate. It could be a religion, culture, organization or ideology. For Pakistan, it is the Armed Forces around which everything revolves i.e. making them the Centre of Gravity of the country. Among the three services, along with Law Enforcement Agencies, the Pakistan Army forms the nucleus around which other services revolve.

In times of peace as much as in war, Pakistan Army has been at the fore to offer its toil, blood, and sweat in service of the country. It is a matter of great honor to the members of this esteemed institution to play their part in building this great nation. The core reasons behind professionalism instilled in them, especially the Officer Cadre, is a thorough selection process, rigorous training imparted during the formative years in Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), and subsequent courses later in the service.  Here are a few things you should know if you wish to join Pakistan Military Academy.

Types and Categories of Service

There are four distinct categories where one can form part of the Army in Officer or Soldier ranks.

  • Regular Commission. This comprises of PMA Long Course, Graduate Course, Technical Cadet Course (TGC), AM Cadet Course and AFNS (BSc Nursing).
  • Short Service Regular Commission. This contains GDMOs and Classified/ Specialists.
  • Direct Short Service Commission. This category subsumes Lady Officers (Women Commission), Psychologists, Signals – ICTOs and Army Education Corps.
  • Soldier Recruitments. It comprises of recruits selected for soldier ranks.

Application and Selection Process

An advertisement is shared by Pakistan Army in newspapers twice a year (after six months), along with the details on its official website www.joinpakarmy.gov.pk. Individuals desiring can apply for the available positions keeping in mind that they must be eligible for the offering depending on the level of qualifications and other section criteria’s. They will first appear in an online initial test followed by an interview and physical efficiency tests. This will be followed by their 4-day tests in respective Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) centers. ISSB contains a mélange of tests and interviews including personality evaluation, command tasks, written intelligence tests and interviews by board members and psychologists. ‘Recommended’ individuals are then sent to nearby Combined Military Hospitals for a detailed medical examination.

Training at Pakistan Military Academy

Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul is one of the oldest and most prestigious military training institutions of the country. Here, young civilian boys from all walks of life are transformed into disciplined future military leaders. They are groomed in numerous fields ranging from mess manners to wearing military and civilian dresses on various occasions. The bulk of cadets forms part of the ‘Long Course’, which undergoes a two-year rigorous training program. Their training is divided into a number of military and academic domains. Cadets are taught basic tactics in both conventional and sub-conventional spheres, command and leadership aspects, map reading and navigational skills, along with academic subjects (Science, Economics, political science, English etc.), which will contribute to their Bachelor’s Degree.

The passed-out cadets from PMA then become part of the Officer Corps and are bestowed with the honor of commanding one of the world’s finest and most battle-hardened troops. The onerous responsibility on the shoulders of these young leaders could only be duly discharged if they are trained and prepared for it. PMA Kakul leaves no stone unturned to ensure that, as the Moto stands, “Men at their best”.

About the Author:  Mohammad Tahir has recently been selected for PMA.

The views and opinions expressed in the article are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views and policy of The Academia Magazine.

Read more: Facts You Did Not Know About Pakistan’s Armed Forces