ISLAMABAD, Feb 24: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday said Pakistan had no aggressive designs against anyone and its defence strategy was to maintain a minimum deterrence.

“Only balance of power can ensure peace and stability in the region”, the prime minister said while talking to Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Chief of Defence Staff Sri Lankan Armed Forces, who called on him here along with a delegation.

In their meeting, the prime minister stressed on the vital link between peace, stability and development and emphasized the need to endeavour for sustainable peace to leverage true potential of South Asia.

“Pakistan due to its geo-strategic location is playing a stabilizing role in the region and only a minimum credible defence capability will enable it to continue playing this role,” the prime minister said.

Mr Aziz said Pakistan and Sri Lanka had historic ties, common values in social and cultural fields and needed to enhance cooperation in economic, defence and security fields and share the best practices to learn from each other’s experiences.

Pakistan considered Saarc very important and was working to further energize it to play a more effective role in bringing peace, stability and prosperity in the region, he said.

Mr Aziz said Pakistan was proud of its armed forces which had met challenges like to check anti-state and terrorist activities.

“The government was further strengthening the capabilities of its army, navy and air force to perform effectively in case of war and in times of peace by enhancing the indigenous capabilities in defence production,” he said.

In his response, Admiral Daya Sandagiri showed keen interest in further cementing ties to promote peace and stability in the region.