I AM YOUR ARMY CHIEF! A TREMENDOUS DIALOGUE WITH COAS
My name is Suleman Gilbert Bhatti. I am a student of Baccalaureate honors at Forman Christian College University. I’m fortunate enough to be selected by the Pakistan army for the day-out visits from the FC college. On the first visit, 30 Formanites were selected to visit the Balochi hills in Lahore. Army bus picked the students from the university early in the morning. After reaching the field, they collected gadgets from the visitors. There were VC’s of Punjab University, Lahore School of Economics, Kinnaird College for Women University, UET, LUMS and FCCU with students on the visit. Faculty and 30 students from each university were selected for this prestigious army day out. The Corps Commander of Lahore Lieutenant General Muhammad Abdul Aziz was the chief guest at the event. I witnessed the movement of fighter tanks, techniques of combat, first aid methods, mobile hospitals, battlefield camps, ammunition and weapons. It was a great experience for us as it was early in the morning with the rainy and foggy weather. I was wearing long military shoes because of weather conditions. I was a bit nervous initially because the weather was not supportive. There was mud everywhere. Students were having difficulty in walking. We were also given a chance to ride tanks which has been an adventurous experience for me. The tank driver instructed us to hold the tank bar tightly as he was going to drive the tank fastly in the deep mud. I was enjoying on the top of the tank. This experience has become one of my wildest memories. The Corps Commander addressed the students at the end of the day. He motivated students to work hard and raise the Pakistani flag at every stage of life. We were seen off with hi-tea which was a great sign of hospitality.
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Now, it is the middle of January, I got another invitation from the Pakistan army. I was given a chance to visit the Army museum. I was happy to see our military historical portraits, weapons and statues there. Then the students visited the QCR Lahore where I witnessed the Special Services Group Commandos parade. I was immensely impressed by their courage and power. Because they fight in an unusual scenario — when the military is out of ammunition. SSG Commandos were powerful martial artists. Then the Pakistan army took us to the Wagah border, where students observed the soldier’s life more closely. I saw Pak Army Jawans safeguarding the borders of the motherland so we people can live peacefully. Pak Army served us a delicious lunch. Indeed, this was one of my favorite trips of life.
Now coming towards the last week of January, I received a third chance to spend a day with soldiers. Again this time, they picked us from our university warm-heartedly. We reached the Corps headquarter in the morning. I was very much excited. They collected bags and gadgets from the students at the main entrance. We sat in the briefing room. Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major-General Babar Iftikhar, Corps Commander of Lahore Lieutenant General Muhammad Abdul Aziz and many other military officers were present to interact with the students. The Corps Commander invited General Bajwa on the stage. He put his mask off and said: “I AM YOUR ARMY CHIEF” and we all students got astonished to see our Chief of the Army Staff in front of us. General Bajwa talked to students for 5 hours and answered all questions positively.
I got a chance to shake hands with CAOS General Qamar Javed Bajwa and DGISPR Major-General Babar Iftikhar and exchange words:
“SIR, I AM VERY GLAD TO SEE YOU PEOPLE LIVE HERE. IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME. YOU ARE KNIGHTS OF OUR NATION. I DON’T HAVE ANY GADGET TO CAPTURE THIS MOMENT BUT I’M LIVING THIS MOMENT.”
I thank God and then ISPR team for this wonderful opportunity. Thanks for reading!