KARACHI, Dec 12: Gen Pervez Musharraf said here on Friday that Pakistan faced the biggest threat to its security from sectarian and religious extremism and terrorism within the country, and vowed to eliminate such tendencies.

Speaking at the induction of the first indigenously built French origin Agosta 90B submarine “Saad” at the PN Dockyard, President Musharraf claimed that country’s defence was impregnable and no external threat could endanger its security.

“Internal chaos, sectarianism, and religious extremism and religious terrorism constitute a bigger threat owing to which the Muslim Ummah is suffering and the economy of Muslim states is being negatively affected,” he said.

He called for joint and concerted efforts to eradicate extremism and terrorism, and said no one had the right to question anyone’s belief and decide who was a better Muslim.

He emphasized that a strong economy and military were the two key pillars for ensuring a viable and impregnable defence and called for strengthening this capability.

The president said: “In the presence of our courageous army, we do not have any foreign threat as we are capable of meeting any challenge”.

Talking to reporters after the commissioning ceremony, Gen Musharraf said: “Pakistan believes and adheres to a deterrence strategy for its defence, which we will maintain. The country’s armed forces are being strengthened, and the government is meeting all their requirements”.

Stressing that such a capability had to be maintained, he said: “Our deterrence strategy is defensive and we have no aggressive design. But if we are attacked we will go offensive in defending ourselves.”

Gen Musharraf said that induction of submarine Saad had enhanced the country’s deterrence and defence capability.

The submarine, which is the second of the three such platforms, for which Pakistan had entered into a $1 billion deal with France, was inducted into the PN fleet after undergoing intensive propulsion, depth and weapon system trials.

The first submarine “Khalid” which was built completely in France, has already joined the PN fleet. “Saad” was built here at the PN Dockyard under the supervision of French experts. The third Agosta 90 B “Hamza” which is expected to be delivered to the Pakistan Navy in 2004, is being constructed by Pakistani technicians in the country.

Describing the commissioning of “Saad” as a step towards self-reliance in marine defence, Gen Musharraf said: “It has given a considerable boost to our defence capability and Pakistan has now joined an elite group of countries having the capability to construct submarines.”

“It has laid down foundations of a viable and self-reliant submarine industry and has completed the cycle of self-reliance in all the three forces — air force, navy and army,” he said.

In this context he recalled development of Al Khalid and Al Zarrar tanks, anti-tank missiles and other versions of SAMs, the Thunder JF-17 Chinese origin aircraft and Mushak training aircraft. Very soon, he said, the biggest project of constructing surface ships with Chinese assistance would be started.

Gen Musharraf hoped that the submarine construction would boost cooperation in defence production and lead to “optimization of bonds of friendship (with France)”.

He recalled the tragic incident in which 11 French technicians, who were assisting in the construction of Agosta, were killed in May 2002 in a terrorist attack outside their hotel.

“I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those technicians who lost their lives in a gruesome attack in May 2002,” Gen Musharraf said while complimenting the steadfastness of the French government in completing the task despite that attack.

Earlier, Commander, Logistics, Pakistan Navy, explained the background of the project.

The ceremony was attended among others by Naval Chief Admiral Shahid Karimullah, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammed Mahar, Defence Minister Rao Sikander Iqbal, and Communications Minister Ahmed Ali.