ISLAMABAD, March 24: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday that the government was fully aware of the country’s defence needs and was pursuing a policy of maintaining credible minimum deterrence for the sake of peace and stability in the region.

The prime minister was addressing a gathering of nuclear scientists during his first visit to the Kahuta Research Laboratories on the outskirts of the capital. He was given a briefing on the working of the nuclear set-up.

Mr Gilani said the focus of the government policy was strong defence preparedness and stable economy which were necessary for sustainable peace in the region.

“We will do our best and the government will take care of all defence needs,” he said, and adding that strong defence and political security led to economic stability.

He said Pakistan was a frontline state in the war against terror and it needed international support for its stability.

“A strong and stable Pakistan is in the interest of the whole world,” he said.

Mr Gilani said he hoped the Friends of Pakistan group at its meeting in Tokyo would deliberate upon extending economic assistance to the country.

He praised the contributions made by the Kahuta Research Laboratories to national defence by reinforcing credible minimum deterrence in the shape of nuclear capability. He said the KRL was providing weapons systems for the armed forces, there by saving a lot of foreign exchange.

Mr Gilani said he was proud of the country’s defence forces which were doing a tremendous job and were fully capable of safeguarding the geographical frontiers of the country.

He paid tribute to KRL scientists for their hard work and dedication and described them the nation’s ‘real asset’.

He said the government would establish an institute for research-based studies in the higher education system.

He announced a one-month basic salary as honorarium for all the KRL employees.

Mr Gilani visited various sections of the KRL, accompanied by its Chairman Karim Ahmad who briefed on research activities.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Majeed and KRL Director-General (strategic planning division) Lt-Gen Khalid Kiwi were also present.
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