September 11, 2008	Thursday	Ramazan 10, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 10: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday that the armed forces would be equipped with advanced weapons system to enhance their professional capabilities.

Talking to Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and three services chiefs who had called on him at Aiwan-i-Sadr, he said Pakistan would maintain credible minimum deterrence and all possible steps would be taken to make the country’s defence impregnable.

Gen Tariq Majeed, Gen Ashfaq Parvaiz Kayani, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir and Air Chief Marshall Tanvir Mehmood Ahmad congratulated the president on his assuming the office of the head of state.

They exchanged views with the president of challenges the country is facing and the need for effective strategies to cope with them.

They briefed him on the overall command structure and operational preparedness of the armed forces.

Members of the federal cabinet also called on President Zardari and discussed with him issues of national importance.

Mr Zardari said that a civilian democratic government established in the country after a long struggle would strengthen state institutions.

He urged the ministers to work for people’s wellbeing. The problems of law and order and food shortage also came under discussion.

Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza and Chief Justice of Pakistan Abdul Hamid Dogar separately called on the president.