LALAMUSA: The 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition has concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony in Kharian Cantt, bringing to an end a demanding multinational military exercise in Punjab’s semi-mountainous terrain.
The closing ceremony was graced by COAS & CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the Chief Guest where he lauded the “exceptional professionalism, physical and mental endurance, operational competence and high morale” displayed but pivoted his focus to a deeper mandate.
Reaffirming the core values of the Pakistan Army, the Field Marshal underscored a triad of virtues -- “character, courage and competence.”
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS & CDF emphasised that these attributes are the bedrock of the Pakistani soldiers, particularly visible in the long-standing and ongoing fight against terrorism.
In an era of “evolving character of modern warfare,” he argued that multinational forums like PATS are essential for collective preparedness. The PATS competition is a 60-hour-long patrolling exercise designed to push professional military skills to the breaking point. Since its commencement on February 5, teams navigated the challenging terrain of Punjab, exchanging innovative ideas and tactical best practices in a “near-real” operational environment.
This year’s edition featured a staggering breadth of international participation. Elite teams from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, the USA and Uzbekistan competed side-by-side. Meanwhile, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand joined as observers, further cementing PATS as a premier forum for military-to-military cooperation.
From the domestic front, 16 teams from the Pakistan Army and Navy showcased their home-field expertise, while observers from the Pakistan Air Force monitored the evolving sub-tactical maneuvers. Towards the culmination, the COAS & CDF presented awards to the outstanding participants of the competition. International observers and Defence Attachés also expressed deep appreciation for the organisation and conduct of the exercise.
The Field Marshal also visited the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Pabbi, where he inspected the newly established Tactical Simulator.
