LAHORE: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, while expressing optimism regarding the bright future of the country, said that the military operation Zarb-e-Azb has laid a strong foundation for peace and progress.
He said this during his visit to the prestigious Government College University (GCU) Lahore, his alma mater, on Friday. The COAS also interacted with the students and faculty members on the occasion. In order to relive his old memories, the COAS visited various sections of the premier institute, especially those parts where he had spent his days as a student, spokesman of the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Thousands of students came out of their classrooms and gathered on both sides of the road leading to Bukhari Auditorium where the COAS addressed the faculty and students. The students chanted slogans in favour of army chief upon which he came out of his vehicle and interacted with them.
It is pertinent to mention that COAS General Raheel Shareef got admission at GCU in 1974. Two of his brothers and a sister also studied from GCU, whereas his uncle Nishan-e-Haider Major Shabir Sharif also studied at the prestigious university. General raheel Sharif was also the part of GCU swimming team during his student life.
Paying rich tributes to both the faculty and the management of the university for their role towards grooming and honing the youth, Raheel Sharif said the GCU has always played a pivotal role in producing a stream of scholars, scientists, artists and intellectuals of international acclaim, who have contributed immensely in their respective domain.
The army chief urged the youth to always focus on 3Cs (character, courage and competence) and strive for honour and dignity through hard work and faith in Allah.
While expressing his optimism of a brighter future of the country, he said, “Pakistanis are a great nation and our human resource is our real asset. Operation Zarb-e-Azb has laid a strong foundation for peace and progress of the country and you can play an important role towards taking Pakistan to new heights.”