"Twelve girls, four in the basic flying training squadron and eight in the preliminary training squadron, will complete their three-year graduation programme by October this year," The News Tuesday quoted the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, as saying.

"Obviously, it would help dispel the kind of impression the West has about our society," he told the newspaper in an interview.

The PAF will post the women as aeronautical engineers and general duty pilots on transport aircraft and helicopters, even as the Pakistani government has been petitioned to permit women to fly combat aircraft.

Some 211 people have signed the petition, initiated by defence analyst Syeda Amna Hassan.

According to Saadat, the criteria and standards applicable for males would be applicable in the case of women officers and that they would be able to achieve whatever level they desired.

"I do not want to pre-judge the ability of female air force officers," the air chief said.

The women trainees were extremely motivated and "we are satisfied with their performance", he maintained.

Like their male colleagues, the women officers cannot get married till they are 26 or have completed six years in service, whichever is earlier.