ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday that Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme was the best guarantee of peace in the region and Islamabad did not harbour any aggressive designs against any country.

"Pakistan's defence capability is key to Pakistan's survival and future," he told participants of the 5th National Security Workshop here at the National Defence College. "Our 150 million population can have a stabilizing influence and Pakistan can serve as an anchor of peace in the region," he said.

He said Pakistan's strategic location was quite unique as it was at the gateway to Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East. He said the state of un-ease between Pakistan and India was getting better."

"Pakistan believes in retaining minimum deterrence as a cornerstone of our national security policy and as a responsible and acknowledged nuclear power," the prime minister said. He said Pakistan would continue to play a positive role in international efforts aimed at non-proliferation.

Pakistan, he said, had no aggressive designs against any other country, but added it would not let any country push it around. He said at one time over a million troops were deployed along its borders, but it was only due to country's deterrent capability that things remained under control.

"This strategic capability is the anchor of peace and assurance of our stability and security," he added. The government, Mr Aziz said, remained committed to its nuclear and missile programme, adding "we will not be aggressive against anyone, but will not let any one be aggressive with us."

He said Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme served as a credible strategic deterrence and ensured peace in the region. The prime minister said in the evolving globalization context, national security transcended beyond geographical boundaries and any one institution. -APP