KARACHI, July 3 Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that while external threat continues to exist, internal threat merits immediate attention.

Addressing the 91st officers commissioning parade of Pakistan Navy at the Pakistan Naval Academy on Friday, he said that Pakistan faced multi-faceted challenges. It is complex in nature and its spectrum is both diverse and intense.

He said the fight against terrorism was fully supported by the nation. The country would succeed in the war against terrorism, he added.

The army chief reiterated Pakistan's commitment to global and regional peace and desire to live in peace and harmony with its neighbours.

“We are not for any arms race but will maintain balance through a strategy of minimum credible deterrence. Strong armed forces of Pakistan are guarantor of peace and stability.”

General Kayani said that while external threat continued to exist, it was the internal threat that merited immediate attention. “Forces of extremism and terrorism pose a threat to our national security and stability but armed forces of Pakistan are fully prepared to fight this menace.”

He paid tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives in the recent military operations.

He said that in line with its proud traditions, the armed forces would never flinch whenever the nation gave it a call.

General Kayani urged the commissioning officers to uphold the trust and confidence which the nation had reposed in them. He felicitated the commissioning officers, particularly those who displayed excellent performances and won prizes.

In his welcome address, Commandant of Pakistan Naval Academy Commodore Muhammad Hisham underlined salient features of officers' training.

He said that 80 midshipmen had been commissioned after two years of rigorous training. Cadets from Kazakhstan, Maldives, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen also received training at the academy, he added.

The army chief gave away prizes to the winners. Midshipman Zeeshan Zafar was awarded the Sword of Honour for his overall performance.

The Academy Dirk went to Midshipman Sohaib Leghari while the Quaid-e-Azam and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gold Medals were clinched by Sub-Lieut Asif Raza and Cadet Syed Muhammad Arsalan, respectively. Main Top Squadron was the recipient of Proficiency Banner.