First Pakistani aviation cadet woman wins Sword of Honour

Islamabad, Sep 23 (UNI) Pakistani aviation cadet Saira Amin has become the first woman in the country's history to win the coveted Sword of Honour in recognition of her excellence in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

She was one of the ten women cadets, who were selected for training and education in the flying and engineering branches of the PAF.

Saira was awarded the Sword of Honour at a passing-out parade at the PAF Academy in the northeast of Islamabad yesterday.

The Sword of Honour is awarded on the basis of overall performance in three disciplines-- flying, academics and general services training.

Saira, who hails from Peshawar, excelled in the disciplines during the three-year General Duty pilot training at the PAF Academy in Risalpur, Dawn newspaper reported.

Pakistan's Air Chief Tanvir Mehmud Ahmad, said it was a source of inspiration for all Pakistani women, which is indeed a unique achievement, and ''I wish her success in future assignments as well''.

Besides Saira, two other women pilots completed the GD course.

The Air Chief Marshal said it was encouraging to see another batch of three women pilots passing out successfully from the PAF Academy.

Carrying rifles and dressed in the blue uniform like their male colleagues, the women pilots took part in the parade before family members, diplomats and other guests.

They received flying training in MFI-17 Super Msuhak and T-37 jets and are capable of flying other fighter aircraft.

With the induction of the three women pilots, the number of women pilots in the PAF has now risen to seven. Saba Khan, Nadia Gul, Mariam Khalil and Saira Batool had passed out on March 30.

Earlier, women only worked in engineering, medicines, air traffic control, education and administration branches of the PAF.

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