Pakistan begins military exercise with 19 countries including BD

The ninth ‘International Pakistan Army Team Spirit Competition (PATS)-2026’ military exercise has begun in Pakistan with the participation of 19 countries including Bangladesh. The Pakistan military said that the opening ceremony of the exercise was held in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of the country on Wednesday (February 4). This international competitive exercise has been organized with the aim of testing the physical fitness, mental toughness and practical military skills of the soldiers.

Arab News reports that the media wing of the Pakistan military, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that the opening ceremony was held at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Through this, the 60-hour patrol-based exercise has begun.

The ISPR said that participating in this exercise requires maximum physical fitness, mental toughness and military skills. In addition, the ability to make quick decisions in challenging paramilitary operations in an environment close to real combat situations is also being tested.

According to ISPR, a total of 24 international teams from 19 friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United States and Uzbekistan are participating in this exercise. In addition, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand are participating in this international military exercise as observer states, ISPR said.

Pakistan ISPR also said that 'Pakistan Army Team Spirit' is a specific goal-oriented and task-oriented professional military exercise, which is organized every year in Pakistan. 16 local teams of the Pakistan Army and Navy are participating in this event. In addition, representatives of the Pakistan Air Force are present as observers. This exercise is basically held every year in Pakistan. The last edition of the eighth edition was held in April 2025.

According to the ISPR, the main objective of the exercise is to build patience and tolerance through team spirit. At the same time, the aim of organizing this exercise is to enhance mutual coordination and capability through the exchange of new ideas and best practices among the participating forces.