LAHORE, Friday, May 23, 2025 (WNP): The convocation ceremony for the 54th Pakistan Navy Staff Course was held on Friday at the Pakistan Navy War College (PNWC) in Lahore, marking the graduation of 118 officers, including representatives from the Pakistani armed forces and allied nations.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, according to a statement issued by the Directorate General Public Relations of the Pakistan Navy.
Degrees were conferred upon 74 officers from the Pakistan Navy, Army, and Air Force, along with 44 officers from 17 friendly countries, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Türkiye, China, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.
In his keynote address, Admiral Naveed Ashraf congratulated the graduating officers and commended the Pakistan Navy War College for maintaining high professional standards. He underscored the growing complexity of modern warfare, particularly in the maritime domain, and emphasized the need for adaptive military strategies.
“The Red Sea has emerged as a flashpoint for competing strategic interests, posing a direct threat to global peace and security,” Admiral Ashraf warned, highlighting the challenges posed by asymmetrical warfare and the increasing role of non-state actors.
He noted that the Indian Ocean Region remains a contested and fluid space, influenced by shifting geopolitical alliances and enduring power rivalries. Citing a recent four-day crisis between India and Pakistan, he stressed that traditional approaches to warfare are no longer sufficient in the face of rapidly evolving strategic environments.
“The conventional, one-dimensional understanding of war is now obsolete,” he stated. “There is a pressing need to reassess and reformulate our strategic doctrines.”
Admiral Ashraf also praised the presence of officers from allied nations, calling it a testament to the deep-rooted ties and mutual trust between Pakistan and its international partners. He expressed hope that these bonds would continue to strengthen in the future.
Earlier, the Commandant of PNWC presented a comprehensive overview of the 45-week course, which included a range of professional and academic modules designed to prepare officers for leadership roles in complex operational scenarios.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officials, civilian dignitaries, and the families of the graduating officers, marking a proud moment of achievement and camaraderie at one of the premier institutions of professional military education in the region.
