LAHORE, SEPT 6 /DNA/ – In celebration of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Day, the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), Lahore, hosted an engaging guest lecture titled “From the Cockpit: Reflections from the PAF’s Past for the Future.” The event, held on 5 September 2024, featured Wing Commander Salim Baig Mirza (Retd), a distinguished war veteran and revered fighter pilot, who shared insights into the PAF’s illustrious history as a guide for the future.
The lecture began with a preamble by Air Commodore Khalid Chishti (Retd) on the 1965 and 1971 wars, which also included an introduction of the guest speaker. He praised the remarkable achievements of Wing Commander Salim (Retd) in aerial combat, which included two confirmed kills, highlighting PAF’s motto, “Second to None”.
Wing Commander Salim (Retd) shared his experiences of the 1965 and 1971 wars. While recounting his kills, he addressed the Indian propaganda that misrepresented the true nature of those events. He highlighted the PAF transformation over the decades under its visionary leadership, evolving into a modern and formidable force distinguished by exceptional courage, training, and professionalism. He also noted the PAF’s technological and strategic edge, which offsets India’s numerical superiority. Following his address, an engaging interactive session ensued, where attendees explored the PAF’s history and discussed the current and future challenges it faces.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Air Marshal Asim Suleiman (Retd), President CASS, Lahore, who emphasised the Air Force’s crucial role and status as the leadership’s preferred choice in contemporary warfare. He noted that all modern-day conflicts are employing the air medium for achieving military objectives. He also mentioned PAF’s enduring legacy and steadfast dedication to national security. The President further highlighted the ongoing strategic transformation of the PAF under the leadership of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu. He remarked that the PAF is now prioritising cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure to sustain its combat advantage, especially in light of increased defence spending by neighbouring countries like India.
The guest lecture was well-attended by both serving and retired PAF officers, as well as members of civil society and academia. The attendees appreciated the insights and the opportunity to celebrate the PAF’s rich heritage.
![PESHAWAR, JAN 12 /DNA/ - Owing to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's precarious law and order circumstances, the provincial assembly has written a letter to the Peshawar corps commander seeking an in-camera briefing on ongoing operations and the security situation in the province. "The [special] Committee desires to receive a detailed briefing from Headquarters XI Corps, Peshawar, particularly in the context of the ongoing operations being conducted by the federal government and LEAs in the merged districts of KP," reads the letter issued by KP Assembly Deputy Secretary Tariq Noor, while referring to the Special Committee (on Security) constituted by the house. The committee features more than 40 members, including the leader of the house, the leader of the opposition and provincial ministers, along with parliamentary leaders of respective political parties. The letter, dated January 8, also points out that the committee has received detailed briefings from key stakeholders, including the chief secretary, the additional chief secretary, the IGP, and now seeks a briefing as part of the consultative process. Letter written by KP Assemblys deputy secretary to Headquarters XI Corps. — Reporter Letter written by KP Assembly's deputy secretary to Headquarters XI Corps. — Reporter The KP Assembly's request for a briefing from a senior army commander comes as the province, as stated by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry in a recent media briefing, accounted for nearly 71% of all the terrorist incidents in 2025. The overwhelming share of KP in facing terror incidents, as per the military's spokesperson, was due to a "politically conducive environment and the flourishing political-criminal-terror-nexus" in the province. Noting that the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in KP was resisting counterterrorism efforts at every forum — a claim denied by the PTI — Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted that the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) carried out 75,175 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the country in 2025, of which 14,658 IBOs were conducted in KP. Out of the total 5,397 terrorism incidents reported nationwide in the previous year, as many as 3,811 incidents occurred in KP. The issue of terrorism and military operations has been a point of contention between the PTI's KP government and the Centre in recent times, where the former has time and again stressed a political solution and dialogue, whereas the latter has pressed on with taking action against the terrorists. This is also reflected by the KP Assembly's letter to the Headquarters XI Corps, Peshawar, which says that the Special Committee (on Security) "acknowledges the importance of security measures but considers that operation alone without broader political, social and developmental initiatives may not ensure suitable peace and stability and could risk further unrest in the province".](https://islamabadpost.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/security-forces-218x150.jpg "KP Assembly seeks Peshawar corps commander’s in-camera briefing on security situation")
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