ISLAMABAD, July 6: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the defence needs of the country will always remain his priority and the government will use all resources to modernise the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) so that it stays in a state of readiness.

Talking to Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmud Ahmed at the PM House on Thursday, the prime minister said Pakistan was a peaceful country and had no intention to enter into an arms race.

However, he said, Pakistan would maintain a minimum credible deterrence for stability of peace in the region and to ensure that the ongoing process of country’s economic development remained uninterrupted.

The chief of air staff apprised the prime minister of his visits to the US and Turkey which, he said, were aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation. He informed the PM about various steps taken by the PAF to optimise its efficiency.—APP