ISLAMABAD Jan 26: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Thursday that although Pakistan was a peace loving country it would not make any compromises on minimum deterrence in order to guarantee its national security.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the sixth national security workshop at the National Defence College in Islamabad, the prime minister said Pakistan was committed to putting in place necessary safeguards to ensure its national security at all cost so that no one could raise so much as a menacing eye at its integrity and sovereignty.

As a strong and vibrant state, he said, Pakistan is fully cognizant of how it should safeguard and protect its geographical borders as well as its internal security.

In terms of priority, Mr Aziz listed sectors such as defence, economy, education, energy, infrastructure, diplomacy, science and technology, services and good governance. All these sectors play a vital role in the context of national security and therefore we have to view this issue holistically in the prevailing global and national environment, he said.

“We must never forget that we are because of Pakistan. We always take pride in protecting our national interest which is our top most priority,” the premier said.

He said the events of 9/11 had almost reshaped the requirements of national security and the inter-dependency at a global level has been enhanced manifold the environment in which no nation could move forward independently.

He reminded the nation that national security was a complex mission that required a holistic and coordinated approach from the whole society.

The prime minister said our national security approach is based on six principles which are economic sovereignty, stable and vibrant political system, internal security, credible defence, effective diplomacy, and good governance.

He said our reforms during the last six years have allowed us to move forward towards stability, progress and prosperity.

He said Pakistan strictly adhered to the principles of minimum nuclear deterrence and it had devised an effective command and control system to protect its security. He said Pakistan was a peaceful nation but at the same time it was cognizant of its defence requirements and would continue to strengthen its defence as strength ensures peace.

Speaking about structural reforms, Mr Aziz said the country’s economy was based on deregulation, liberalization, privatization and above all transparency with the active participation of the private sector.