JHELUM: The closing ceremony of the 46th Pakistan Army Rifle Association (PARA) Central Meet was held on Wednesday at the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), Jhelum, with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir attending as the chief guest. The shooting competition took place from October 7 to November 11, featuring over 1,500 shooters from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, provincial teams, the Federal Rifle Association, and civilian organizations.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf attended as the guest of honour. The COAS and the Naval Chief distributed trophies and medals among the winners.
In the 4th Inter-Services Combat Shooting Championship, the Pakistan Army won the championship trophy, while the AMU secured the Prime Minister's Skills at Arms Big Bore National Challenge Match. The prestigious Master at Arms Trophy (Doli Cup) was awarded to Havaldar Fazal Rehman of the Punjab Regiment, which also won the Unit Firing Proficiency Match and Infantry Squad Match.
Interacting with participants, General Asim Munir praised the shooters for their exceptional marksmanship. He emphasized that shooting proficiency is a hallmark of a professional soldier and that mastery over small arms must remain a core component of basic military training.
Earlier, upon arrival, he was received by the Inspector General Training and Evaluation and the Commander Rawalpindi Corps. The annual event serves as a platform to hone tactical shooting skills across various military and civilian tiers, promoting healthy competition and precision standards.
Military leadership consistently underscores the importance of physical fitness, weapon handling, and combat readiness to counter emerging modern warfare challenges effectively. Participants expressed great enthusiasm and renewed commitment to upholding the highest standards of marksmanship and operational preparedness within their respective ranks.
The ceremony concluded with national prayers and a renewed pledge to serve the nation with utmost dedication, discipline, and professional excellence.