Pakistan is fully aware of the threats emanating from hostile intelligence agencies, especially Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), against the country and the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Chairman Joint Chiefs of the Staff Committee, Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, said this while speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony of the 107th Midshipmen commissioning term and 16th Short Service Commission Course at the Pakistan Naval Academy outside Karachi on Saturday.

He said these foreign intelligence agencies are operating from Afghanistan and other locations to foment unrest in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan.

"Their designs [and] oblique actions to sabotage CPEC are also well known," he said.

Editorial: Army’s allegations against RAW

Gen Hayat said Pakistan is confronting adversaries who are involved in an "indirect sub-conventional warfare against us".

Pointing to the existential conventional threat emanating from India, Gen Hayat said asymmetry has reached a critical threshold in the east.

In order to counter such threats, the country's armed forces are committed to undertaking "synergetic national efforts", he said.

"Make no mistake, we will beat back the enemy's design."

Gen Hayat said Pakistan's security forces along with law-enforcement agencies are playing a crucial role in tackling "external state-sponsored elements operating through local proxies".

Former defence secretary Gen (retd) Alam Khattak had said last year that RAW has established a special cell at its Head Quarters in New Delhi to sabotage CPEC and the plan is executed via Afghanistan

“RAW and Afghan NDS have launched joint secret operations against Pakistan by using three Indian consulates in Jalalabad, Kandahar and Mazar e Sharif,” he said at the time.

Gen Hayat in his address said Pakistan seeks a harmonious co-existence with all countries, especially its neighbours, adding that it will continue to make efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

"Stability, security, peace in Afghanistan is fundamental to the security of Pakistan."

He, however, warned that Pakistan's quest for peace and stability is not a "one-way traffic" but it has to factor in national interest and sovereign rights.

Gen Hayat congratulated the passing-out cadets for successfully completing their training. He said maritime security all along the coast, especially Gwadar, had assumed added significance in view of CPEC developments.

The commission term included 100 cadets, including 72 Pakistan Navy cadets and 28 cadets from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.