NAWABSHAH: First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari on Friday encouraged girl cadets to cultivate leadership qualities, discipline, and resilience, urging them to uphold the honour of their families and the country in all walks of life.

She was addressing the 5th passing-out parade and Annual Parents’ Day ceremony at the Bakhtawar Cadet College for Girls as the chief guest. In her address, Ms Bhutto-Zardari highlighted the institution’s significance as Pakistan’s first cadet college for girls, established to empower young women through quality education, structured discipline, and leadership training.

She praised the cadets for their dedication and hard work, commending the role of the faculty and the continued support of the Sindh government in shaping the college into a reputable institution. According to her, these collective efforts have helped produce confident, disciplined, and competitive young women capable of contributing positively at national and international levels.

Aseefa praised the cadets’ dedication, the faculty’s guidance and Sindh government’s support, noting that these combined efforts have transformed the college into an institution producing confident, disciplined and globally competitive young leaders.https://t.co/rcDYY7gVna

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Referring to the legacy of prominent women leaders, the first lady reminded the cadets of the examples set by Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. She emphasised that the education and leadership development of girls were vital for Pakistan’s progress and long-term stability.

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During the ceremony, Ms Bhutto-Zardari presented college crests and prizes to outstanding cadets. She also witnessed various activities, including a march past, physical training and gymnastic demonstrations, and a karate performance, which showcased the cadets’ discipline and physical preparedness.

College officials briefed her that Bakhtawar Cadet College for Girls, established in 2017 and managed by the Pakistan Air Force, currently has an enrolment of 423 cadets from different parts of the country.

In the visitors’ book, the first lady wrote that she was honoured to visit the college and appreciated President Asif Ali Zardari’s vision in establishing the institution. She expressed hope that the cadets would continue to succeed and serve Pakistan with distinction.

Earlier, Ms Bhutto-Zardari inaugurated the college’s newly completed gymnasium and swimming pool, participated in a tree plantation drive, and formally opened the Art and Science Exhibition for the 2025–26 academic year. She also inspected the guard of honour and met members of the faculty before addressing the cadets and their parents.

Later in the day, she inaugurated the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Nawabshah. She was accompanied by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah.