June 2, 2002	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 20,1423

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ISLAMABAD, June 1: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza has warned that if war is thrust on Pakistan, all resources would be utilized to safeguard the sea flank of the country.

“Pakistan Navy is fully alert and alive to the present situation. It will protect the motherland against any threat from the seaward and will respond with full force,” he said, while speaking to officers at Pakistan Navy War College Lahore on Saturday.

The navy chief highlighted important national issues, especially those concerning the country’s maritime defence.

He observed that though the nuclear capability and missile technology had provided the navy with parity with India, the need for a credible defence in the conventional field still existed.

Commenting on the stand-off between the two countries, he said Kashmir remained the core cause of the contentious bilateral relations and its quick settlement was necessary for regional peace.

India should not be allowed to bully Pakistan under the garb of cross-border terrorism, for the latter had repeatedly condemned terrorism in all its manifestations and had provided full support to eradicate that menace at the international level, he added.

Replying to a question, Admiral Mirza said: “In war, it is not the numerical strength that matters rather it is the quality of the equipment and the professionalism of its officers and men together with their resolve, self-belief and the belief in Almighty Allah which constitutes the decisive factor.”—APP