KATHMANDU: The Embassy of Pakistan organized its second alumni gathering for Nepali Army officers trained in various institutions of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Former Chief of Army Staff of Nepali Army, General (Retd.) Gaurav SJB Rana, graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Sudarshana Pathirana, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal and an alumnus of the Pakistan Air Force Academy, attended the event as a special guest.

A significant number of serving and retired Nepali Army officers were also present.

In his welcoming remarks, Colonel Muhammad Ali Alvi, Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan, traced the history and highlighted the vibrant bilateral relations between the Armed Forces of Nepal and Pakistan, particularly in the training domain.

He underscored the continued support by the Pakistan Armed Forces for the capacity building of the Nepali Army.

Rana reminisced about his experiences in Pakistan and their impact on his leadership in the Nepali Army.

He emphasized the immense value of the training provided to Nepali Army officers and soldiers, which significantly contributes to both the institution and the individuals.

Major General Babu Ram Shrestha, the senior-most serving Nepali Army officer and alumnus of NDU Islamabad, conveyed best wishes on behalf of the COAS Nepal Army.

He thanked Pakistan for offering opportunities to Nepali Army officers and soldiers to acquire contemporary skills and address capacity gaps within the Army.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Abrar H. Hashmi highlighted the strong relations between Pakistan and Nepal, based on trust and mutually beneficial collaborations among their people, governments, and armed forces.

He expressed gratitude to former COAS Gaurav Rana and the senior officers for attending the second alumni gathering.

Participants of the event expressed their appreciation to Pakistan and its Mission for organizing the event and providing a platform to relive fond memories of their time in Pakistan.