Islamabad: The cadets were sweating in their sharp uniforms, marching in formation, fists clenched, and eyes forward on a hot June day this week.

At the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, in northwest Pakistan, where about 2,000 gentleman cadets daily toil through the fundamentals of leadership in preparation for commission as officers in the army, it was a typical day of training. There are 116 foreign cadets among them, 97 of whom are from Middle Eastern nations.

1,522 cadets from 31 "friendly" countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Qatar, and Bahrain, have received training at the esteemed PMA over the past 76 years.

During a visit to the academy organised by the Pakistani army this week, Iraqi cadet Fateh Ullah Ghazi Al-Sheikh told Arab News, "I chose Pakistan because it is a brother nation and PMA is one of the best academies in the world."

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The officers and other cadets at the academy gave us a warm welcome and made us feel at home because of their warmth and hospitality.

During training at the academy and in the mountainous terrain, the cadets had to push themselves to overcome the "harshest" of challenges and learn to be "selfless," the young recruit added.

"We have learned about academics, navigation in mountainous ranges, and as the course goes on, we keep learning even more," he said.

Jordanian gentleman cadet Abdullah Emad Al-Mayreh, who has attended the academy for a year and a half, described the training standards as "very high with a tough routine."

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He told Arab News, "I will return to my country as a second lieutenant after I graduate from here, and I will work hard to improve my country as well. I will also share my training experience with junior officers in the Jordanian army.

A commanding officer at PMA named Maj. Alamgir Pervez Khan claimed that the presence of foreign cadets added a "new dimension" to the learning environment and encouraged cooperation and cross-cultural understanding among future generals of friendly armies.

According to Khan, who spoke to Arab News, "These foreign cadets undergo the same training process as their Pakistani counterparts," PMA made accommodations for the foreign recruits in terms of language and culture.

Even so, Iraqi cadet Hasan Al-Musawi admitted that it was "challenging" to meet the rigorous training requirements at PMA. Although the physical requirements at PMA are extremely demanding, they have improved both my physical and mental endurance, he continued.

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Aside from the demanding physical requirements of the training, Ali Taj, a cadet from Palestine, said he had also learned about weapons and other necessities.

I am receiving the best instruction, and when I return I will be unique from my fellow soldiers, he declared. I'll do everything in my power to serve and better my nation. I'll share what I've learned with others.