May 24, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 23: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that Pakistan would never be lacking in its resolve to combat extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and urged partner states in the struggle to demonstrate trust and understanding.

“We would like the international community to support our efforts as our government evolves a strategy that has better chances to bring peace,” he said while speaking at the soft-launching of International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS-2008) to be held in Karachi from Nov 24 to 28.

The remarks came against the backdrop of statements emanating from Washington opposing peace talks and agreements with the local Taliban.

He stressed the need for addressing the root causes of extremism and terrorism and using force only selectively and judiciously. “We must not forget that terrorism stems from a feeling of injustice, deprivation and lack of opportunities. The world community needs to pay more attention to eliminate these problems.”

Prime Minister Gilani said that in the present global security environment, Pakistan was a frontline state, spearheading a collective struggle against a new threat to world peace. “Terrorism is a major concern across the globe today. It is the biggest challenge, facing the mankind in its entire known history.”

He said that while terrorism was posing a serious threat to international peace, it also undermined Pakistan’s vital national interest. “War against terrorism is our own war. We have lost our great leader Benazir Bhutto. We have lost countless innocent children and youth, men and women in this war.”

He said that the people of Pakistan fully understood the challenges of extremism and terrorism. They have been supporting their government to combat and contain the twin menace in the best national interest, and law-enforcement agencies had been rendering immense sacrifices.

He said that Pakistan was a peaceful country and did not harbour aggressive designs against anyone, but added that peace was achieved through strength and not weakness. “Therefore, we need to maintain conventional forces suitably backed by credible minimum deterrence,” he said, adding that as a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan adhered to the doctrine of minimum credible deterrence to ensure peace in the region.

“We believe in impregnable defence to protect our solidarity, integrity and sovereignty through economic sovereignty, smooth political process, rule of law, good governance and friendly international environment.”

Mr Gilani said that Pakistan did not want to be dragged into any arms race as it sought to invest in socio-economic wellbeing of its people.

Pakistan has made phenomenal progress towards developing indigenous capabilities for production of sophisticated weapon systems and equipment.

He said the country’s arms and ammunition, tanks and armoured vehicles, air-launched munitions and aircraft technology were of world class standard. “Obviously, maintaining sprawling defence complex warrants a wholesome approach -- an approach which is conceptually futuristic and is able to balance the dynamics of troika of threat, response and availability of resources,” he remarked.

He said that country’s defence industry was meeting the domestic requirements and was now geared up to export its world class products on a competitive basis through responsible arms trade. “Holding of IDEAS is a reflection of our consistent efforts to stimulate the defence production through collaboration and joint ventures.”

Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the international community for peace and harmony, he said: “Our military capability is basically for deterrence purposes because we do not want war; we yearn for peace.”