March 29, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 20, 1429

ISLAMABAD, March 28: Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Afzal Tahir separately called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday and congratulated him on assuming the office of the chief executive.

According to an official handout, Mr Gilani said that Pakistan was a peaceful country, but believed in maintaining a minimum credible deterrence to ensure peace and stability in the region.

He said that a strong and credible defence was the ultimate guarantee to peace.

He said that the national policy was based on peaceful coexistence, and being a responsible nuclear state “we believe in maintaining minimum credible deterrence to ensure peace in the region.”

He appreciated the role of the armed forces during national calamities.

The army chief said that the country’s defence had been made impregnable by adopting innovative training and modern equipment.

During the meeting with Admiral Tahir, the prime minister said that Pakistan believed in peaceful coexistence in conformity with the prevailing geo-strategic environment and national aspirations.

Mr Gilani said that the navy had an important role to play in protecting sea lanes and routes, besides the coastline.He said that protection of trade routes was necessary for the country’s economic security.

Admiral Tahir said that the Pakistan Navy was fully capable of defending the country’s territories and it was prepared to face the emerging challenges.