ISLAMABAD: Mr. Aziz Ahmad, Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, assured the Senate today [Jan 17] that he had been paying very close attention to the situation arising from the induction of Soviet weapons and arms from other countries in India. He was making a statement during a discussion on the admissibility of an adjournment motion by Khawaja Mohammad Safdar of the opposition.
The motion … said that massive supply of Soviet arms to India had created alarm in the public mind. It accused the Government of inaction and negligence in providing the country’s Armed Forces with modern weapons to counter the tilt in balance of power in favour of India. Mr. Aziz Ahmad said the supply of arms to India and the projected acquisition of Sam-6 missiles by that country had been receiving the Government’s constant attention. He strongly refuted that there had been any inaction … on part of the Government in looking after the defences of the country. The Minister expressed astonishment that such allegations should have been made by a very responsible member of the House. He said every action is being taken to see that the Armed Forces remain capable of defending the country.
Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2024
