KARACHI, May 10: “Strong economy supported by military prowess is vital for our survival in the present milieu”, said Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza, Chief of the Naval Staff, while addressing the PN War College convocation for the 31st PN Staff Course here on Friday.

“We can play a positive role in today’s world order only from a position of strength and we should strive to achieve this”, he added.

While commenting on the present and future military hardware acquisitions of India, Admiral Mirza said “it would not entice us into an arms race, but at the same time we should be mindful of our national objectives in the defence field and achieve these utilizing judiciously the scarce resources at our disposal”.

Chief of the Naval Staff observed that the sea being our economic lifeline was the most likely theatre, where adversary could test us despite our equivalence with her at the strategic level. “So we have to remain extra vigilant to safeguard the maritime frontiers and assets,” he asserted.

Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza urged the graduating officers to put in their best efforts to achieve the utmost for the service to the motherland to which they owe so much.

He congratulated the graduating officers and commended the efforts of the PN War College.

At the end, Admiral Aziz Mirza awarded BSc (honours) degrees to 69 course participants, including 13 officers from nine friendly countries.—PPI