The Government College University Lahore conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award on General (Retired) Raheel Sharif, the former Army Chief of Pakistan and the first Commander-In-Chief of the Islamic Alliance against Terrorism, KSA.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi presented the esteemed award to General Raheel Sharif, who spoke to the students about the importance of three Cs in life: Character, Courage, and Competence.

The GCU award, presented in a graceful convocation-style special gathering, recognizes the most distinguished alumni who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields, and it is one of the highest honors bestowed by the GCU.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Zaidi mentioned that some students make their alma mater proud, and General Raheel Sharif is one of them. He stated that all educational institutions teach a similar curriculum, but it is the tradition of focusing on character-building of students through co-curricular activities that makes Government College Lahore prestigious. He believed that recognizing and honoring the achievements of distinguished alumni can inspire current students and encourage them to strive for excellence in their own pursuits.

General (r) Raheel Sharif passionately spoke about his own journey, including his family's legacy at GCU and the profound influence of his Old Ravian elder brother, Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider, Military), who was a fearless and decorated soldier, embodying the ideals of dedication, courage, and sacrifice.

Addressing the young students, General Sharif encouraged them to make the most of their time at GCU and to listen to the advice of their experienced faculty, underscoring the role they can play in driving the progress of the country.

“Based on my experience, I would like to leave a few thoughts with you. Firstly, have faith in God Almighty. Remember, he is the most beneficent, the most merciful. Secondly, regularly read the life history of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). You will understand how to deal with the challenges and intricacies of life. Thereafter, remember the three C's: character, courage, and competence. I have always kept them close to my heart, and they have guided me well,” the former Army Chief told students.

The Army Chief appreciated the rapid development in his alma mater in the last few years with the dedication of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Syed Asghar Zaidi and his team. He believes, “To be successful in life, you need to have passion. Success only comes when there is passion and dedication in the line you choose."

The event also highlighted General Raheel Sharif's role in eradicating terrorism from the country and his position as the first military commander of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition, representing 42 countries in the pursuit of global peace and security.

Earlier, the event was marked by an enthusiastic welcome from the students of GC University, who showed great admiration for the former Army Chief. Eminent Old Ravians and Vice Chancellors of different public sector universities were also present.