Daily Times

On behalf of Government of Pakistan, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force conferred Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) upon General Fan Jianjun, Director General Bureau of Military Equipment Technical Cooperation (BOMETEC), People’s Republic of China, during his visit to Air Headquarters, Islamabad on Thursday.

The award was conferred in recognition of his wholehearted efforts in enhancing bilateral military relations and the pivotal role played by General Fan in PAF’s capability enhancement thus ensuring regional balance of power, says a press release.

The visiting dignitary called on the Air Chief in his office. During the meeting several key areas of mutual interest along with regional developments were discussed. Chief of the Air Staff shared broad contours of his vision and PAF’s modernization drive to further augment current operational capability necessitated in contemporary warfare especially in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber and Space domains. He also briefed the visiting dignitary about various ongoing projects for PAF’s Operational Construct in line with the emerging trends.

The air chief also highlighted that both the countries enjoy historic and unprecedented strategic partnership and reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral ties in military to military cooperation and training domains between PAF and PLAAF. CAS further said, “Pakistan values its strong diplomatic, economic, defence relationship and time-tested friendship with China which are based on convergence on all important issues relating to regional peace, security and stability”. The Air Chief also lauded the cooperation offered by China as Pakistan’s strategic partner in the realization of an independent technology-driven PAF and its innovative plans.

General Fan Jianjun thanked the Air Chief and the Government of Pakistan on being awarded with Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and hoped that cooperation between the Air Forces of the two countries will continue to expand in future. The visiting dignitary praised the professionalism of PAF personnel and the exceptional progress made by PAF over the years, especially through indigenization. General Fan appreciated the CAS efforts in steering PAF towards modernization and said that the vision of establishing National Aerospace Science and Technology Park was emulating. He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in promoting regional peace. Both leaders vowed to further consolidate cooperation in various fields including emerging technologies and mutual cooperation in the military industry.