Armed Forces Day
Ambassador of Uzbekistan Oybek Arif Usmanov and Defence Attaché Major Lutfulla Umurzakov on Friday hosted a reception at a local hotel to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the Day of the Defenders of the Motherland generally called the Armed Forces’ Day.
It is for the first time in the history of Pak-Uzbek relations that the Embassy of Uzbekistan has celebrated the day in Pakistan. This signifies the ever-growing level of brotherly relations between the two countries.
A large number of military attachés from various mission attended the ceremony. Military Secretary at the General Headquarters Lieutenant General Mohsin Kemal and some other officers of the armed forces represented Pakistan on the occasion.
The day is celebrated in Uzbekistan on January 14, showing a new vigour of Uzbek people to defend their sovereignty at every odd. The country had introduced a completely new system of management of the Armed Forces after reforms in Uzbekistan’s army, and formed a reliable defense of the country.
In November 2008, Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed a decree on improvement of the statutory military service in the armed forces, which called up people to the military service once a year instead of the previous two times, and newly-established sergeant schools and higher military colleges with modern facilities for training of the servicemen.
The country has well established Special Operation Forces, Counter Terrorism Corps, Search and Intelligence Platoons, and Helicopter-Striking Platoons supported through an intensified training and latest armament.
At the Uzbek Armed Forces’ Day function, the guests expressed keen interest in various defence matters including the London Conference and Pakistan’s role in bringing peace and security in Afghanistan. They also were keen to know about Indo-Pak relations.
The Uzbek Embassy also organised a photograph exhibition, featuring defence relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Source:www.dailytimes.com
