Col Don Freeman, with (left) Commandant National Defence College, Lt-Gen Javed Hassan,President of Pakistan, Gen Pervez Musharraf, and Chief Instructor National Defence Course – RAdm Syed Afzal. Photo provided by Col Don Freeman

National defence in Pakistan

COL Don Freeman has spent the last ten months at school in Islamabad – the capital of Pakistan.

He has been attending the 2002/2003 National Defence Course conducted at the Pakistan National Defence College.

The National Defence Course is the premier strategic studies course in Pakistan and is conducted under the authority of the Quaid-e-Azam University.

The course maintains a focus and emphasis on Pakistan national security issues, this area of study complements Col Freeman’s previous academic undertakings that include a Masters in International Relations and Graduate Diplomas in Strategic Studies and Management.

The course totals 73 participants comprising 28 Pakistan military students (all brigadier equivalents), 20 Pakistan civil servants, one student from private enterprise and 24 foreign students from 15 nations.

Col Freeman is the first ADF participant since the two countries ceased the program in May 1998.

The 2002/2003 National Defence Course is scheduled to conclude on July 5.

Of the experience, he said participation had been very rewarding.

“Both academically and personally, the course has exposed me to the politics, culture and intriguing domestic and strategic dynamics of a region of the world that is central to the current global strategic environment.”

The ADF intends to send a student annually to the Pakistan National Defence College now that relations have been re-established.

Gp-Capt Rob Ambler has been identified as the next ADF participant and he is scheduled to commence training in mid-August.
Previous ADF participants at the Pakistan National Defence College are:

• 1991/1992 Brig I.J. Bryant
• 1992/1993 Brig R.M. Earle
• 1993/1994 Air-Cdre D.C. Chipman
• 1994/1995 Cdre N.F. Helyer
• 1996/1997 Gp-Capt J.E. Kentish

The Pakistan military, particularly the Army, have shown great enthusiasm in the re-establishment of relations between the forces of both countries and are looking forward to the ADF again sending a student to the Pakistan Army’s Command and Staff College, located in Quetta, in the near future.

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