After much scrutiny and careful analysis the PAF has taken the much talked about decision; to re-open female recruitment into the GDp and Aeronautical engineering branches for the upcoming 123 GDp and 69 CAE courses at the PAF Academy Risalpur.
Half page ads appeared in leading English and Urdu papers including Dawn on Sunday 16 Apr 2006.
For about 4 years girls held their breaths as the first and the second batch which were also the so far last batches with female cadets, went under training. After the passing out of the first 3 female pilots and the upcoming graduation of the aeronautical engineering cadets (who earned their para wings few days ago) and also that of more girl pilots coming up around October, PAF has opened gates for more girls to join up.
The decision to resume female selection confirms that the PAF is satisfied with the performance of the cadets as well as that of the training staff and admin, and the arrangements made by the PAF trng dte to absorb and accomodate female cadets and officers in these male dominated branches are satisfactory & safe.
meanwhile of course, like many contemporaries rightly feel and say, how successful this can socially & practically be in our Pakistani Muslim society is something there can be rather valid reservations about.
But all that aside, great job girls, we’re proud and I’m sure the upcoming batches will also make Pakistan proud.
For anyone interested in trying out the most glamorous and demanding profession the following basic info from the ad will be of good use:
the official website for all info: www.paf.gov.pk
(For some reason i cant access it-pls do let me know how it is and if the link works)
Registration From: 17 Apr-22 Apr 2006
Selection Centre contact nos:
KHI 021-9202299
ISL/RWP 051-5565695/051-50507977
LHR 042-9507953/ 042-9220084