KARACHI, Dec 27: Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has urged officers of the Pakistan Army to further enhance their professional skills and remain vigilant to guard against all dimensions of conventional and unconventional threats posed to the security and integrity of the motherland.

He was addressing a gathering of army officers at Malir Cantonment here on Thursday morning.

Gen Kayani emphasised on the need for guarding against full spectrum of threats, saying that all elements of national power must act in cohesion to negotiate the challenges.

He said political will and people’s support was the key to credible national defence against a variety of challenges.

He also termed Kashmir an issue of core national interest, and said: “Pakistan wants to live in peace with all its neighbours but with dignity and pursue all its national interest from the position of strength.”

The COAS visited Corps Headquarters and attended a detailed briefing about the operational and administrative matters in the area of responsibility.

Earlier on his arrival, General Kayani was received by Corps Commander Lt-Gen Ahsan Azhar Hayat.

The chief of the army staff, later, visited Mazar-i-Quaid, laid a floral wreath and offered fateha.

The corps commander accompanied him during his visit.

—APP