LONDON – Pakistan Army officer deployed at the Royal Military Academy inBritain has made history.
A platoon of cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), led bya Pakistan Army Major, has been declared as the best platoon of the coursethis year for displaying outstanding skills – and Her Majesty The Queen haspraised him for the “outstanding achievement”.
Major Umar Farooq from the Pakistan Army joined the British Army’s militaryacademy last year as an instructor – taking over from Major Uqbah, whoreturned to Pakistan last year after serving as the first Pakistanimilitary instructor. UK’s Chief of General Staff Gen Mark Carlton Smith wasthe chief guest.
Sovereign’s Parade of Commission Course 173 was held at the Royal MilitaryAcademy Sandhurst on Friday. Major Umar Farooq was the platoon commanderwith this course and trained cadets over the course of a year.
Out of eight platoons, his platoon was declared as the best platoon of thecourse at the ceremony, which was attended by a large number of people,including retired and serving military officers, families of cadets andambassadors from dozens of countries. Pakistan High Commissioner SahebzadaAhmed Khan attended the parade and congratulated Major Umar Farooq and hisplatoon on achieving this coveted position.
In recognition of his outstanding performance, Major Umar Farooq hasreceived a letter of appreciation from Her Majesty the Queen. His name hasbeen written on the Sovereign’s Platoon board in the Royal Military Academylibrary, which is an honour for Pakistan Army.
This correspondent has seen a copy of the appreciation letter sent by theBuckingham Palace to Major Umar Malik.Her Majesty The Queen wrote that shewas “delighted to learn that Number 12 Platoon The Somme Company has wonthe Sovereign’s Banner Competition this term”.
Her Majesty added: “I send my warm congratulations to you, Col Sergeant RKirkbrigght, The Yorkshire Regiment and all members of the platoon on thisoutstanding achievement.”
Major Umar Farooq is from the 44 SP Artillery. Before coming to RMAS, hehas served in Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, as an Adjutant and PlatoonCommander.
At the parade, the 173rd Commissioning course passed out and two cadetsfrom the Pakistan Army were also part of the commissioning course.