KARACHI, Dec 26: The first batch of 22 female sailors, along with 1000 new-entry sailors, passed out and were formally inducted into the Pakistan Navy upon successful completion of 38-week rigorous training, says a press release issued here on Tuesday.
According to the press release, the passing out parade was held at the PNS Himalaya on Tuesday morning.
Commodore Muhammad Aslam Rana, the In-charge of the naval training at Karachi, reviewed the parade as the chief guest.
Speaking on this occasion, the chief guest said like other fields of life, women were also making significant contribution to the armed forces which, he said, was important for progress and prosperity of a nation.
He expressed the hope that the newly-inducted women sailors would prove equal to the task and serve with full devotion and dedication.
The formal induction of the first batch of 22 female sailors into the Pakistan Navy, following the completion of a 38-week-long extensive training course, is definitely something that every Pakistani, especially females, should be extremely proud of. The passing out parade of the female batch, along with 1000 new-entry sailors, was held at the PNS Himalaya on Tuesday with Commodore Muhammad Aslam Rana as the chief guest. The chief guest was right in making the observation that the valuable contribution of the women of Pakistan in strengthening the armed forces is very important for the progress and prosperity of the nation. This ‘forward march’ of women in the Pakistan armed forces is also synonymous with the image that Pakistan is trying to project internationally, that of an enlightened, moderate state attuned to the needs of the times. With Pakistan already having inducted women fighter pilots in the air force and now with female sailors joining the navy, it is a clear sign that the government is committed to an expanded profile for women in the armed forces. In a society where women are flying fighter and civilian planes and working as police officers, there is no reason why they should not be allowed to perform more challenging, even combat-related tasks in the armed forces. With appropriate training, they are sure to succeed in this task. All that is needed is not for the women to change themselves to get into these new fields, but for the men to change their attitudes. That women are the weaker sex is a notion that should be discarded, but an even bigger requirement on their part is not to perceive females as intruders in their domain but as new colleagues who can bring a new perspective to the force. The government would be well advised to order a feasibility report on the deployment of women in service branches other than those they are currently serving in. This study should also include examination of whether women can be absorbed into the hitherto off-limits combat positions.