ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has reaffirmed country’s commitment to promote peace and stability in the region and said that Pakistan does not have any aggressive designs against any country nor want to engage in an arms race.
Addressing participants of the 7th national security workshop held at the National Defence College here on Monday, he stressed that a strong defence was indispensable to the territorial integrity, stability and progress of the country.
Pointing out that the country’s defence doctrine was based on minimum credible deterrence, Mr Aziz said the government was committed to strengthen and reorganise defence forces on modern lines.
He said: “Augusta submarine, JF-7 Thunder Aircraft and our missile and space programme bear testimony to the diligence and dedication of our scientists, technicians and above all our armed forces.”
Mr Aziz said Pakistan was keen to promote peace and cooperation with its neighbours by resolving outstanding issues. Referring to the composite dialogue process with India, he stressed that resolution of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir dispute, was essential for lasting peace in the region.
FOREIGN POLICY: He said: “Our relations with China, US, EU, Russia and Japan are steadily expanding. Economic diplomacy is also a central plank of our foreign policy, which is yielding dividends by promoting foreign investment in the country and increasing our access to world markets.”
The prime minister said Pakistan values its relationship with Muslim states. “We face common challenges and have to work together to face them with dignity and solidarity. We are faced with one such big challenge at present. Lebanon is in flames. Innocent civilians, including women and children, have fallen victim to brutal Israeli aggression.”
He said Pakistan had condemned Israeli aggression in unequivocal terms and hoped that the United Nations would ensure implementation of its resolutions for immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities and restoration of peace.
He said solution to the Palestinian issue was indispensable to lasting peace in the Middle East. The international community and the United Nations should play an effective role in finding a solution to the problem.
Mr Aziz said that threat to the national security stems from within and outside. Internal dissensions not only militate against economic progress and public welfare but also create external vulnerabilities. “It is imperative that we rise above personal or group interests, evolve a broad consensus on fundamental national issues and act in unison for the greater good of the people and the country,” he said.
National Defence College Commandant Lt-Gen Raza Mohammad Khan said the aim of the workshop was to acquaint participants with the process and methodology of formulating national policies and strategies through an institutionalised manner.