News
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
No aggressive designs against any country: Gilani* PM says country needs to maintain conventional forces, adequately supplemented by credible deterrence
* Islamabad doesn’t want to be dragged into arms race
* Need to ensure process of extensive reforms to strengthen state institutions, democracy continues unabated
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan harbours no aggressive designs against any state, but was determined to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Monday.
“We, therefore, need to maintain conventional forces adequately supplemented by credible deterrence,” Gilani said while addressing the soft launch of IDEAS 2010, at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts.
He said Pakistan would continue to develop its military potential that guarantees peace with dignity and honour. He said Pakistan has been able to do so by significantly developing indigenous capabilities for production of sophisticated weapon systems and equipment.
Arms race: “Our military capability is basically for deterrence while we yearn for peace. We believe that military weakness invites aggression from stronger nations, but we do not wish to be dragged into an arms race as we seek to invest in socio-economic well being of our people,” the PM added.
Gilani expressed satisfaction that after meeting domestic requirements, the country’s defence industry has now moved towards marketing products at the international level.
“Our arms, ammunition and more complex products such as tanks and other armoured vehicles, air-launched munitions and aircraft-related technology, are of world class standards,” he said.
The PM said the defence industry, though primarily geared to meet requirements of the armed forces, has great potential to export its products on a competitive basis through responsible arms trade.
“We have also opened up this sector for public-private partnership and both foreign and local investors can take advantage of this opportunity,” he added.
Reforms: Gilani said on the internal front “we will have to ensure that the process of extensive reforms to strengthen the state institutions and democracy continue unabated.”
He said there were strong reasons to believe that the government’s socio-economic initiatives would help marginalise extremist elements that thrive in an environment of ignorance.
Gilani said the country’s armed forces were battle-hardened and known for their professionalism world over. “Our contribution to the UN’s peace-keeping mission and our performance around the world is clear manifestation of the devotion to duty and skills to use any equipment,” he added.
Gilani said Pakistan, with its vital geo-strategic location and paradigm shift in the regional and global security environment, finds itself in the forefront of a collective struggle against a new form of threat to the world peace.
“We, in Pakistan, are the worst affected victims of this menacing threat. Cognisant of the new responsibilities and its key role in this milieu, Pakistan is determined to secure peace and stability,” he said. He said the country’s armed forces and general public continue to make monumental sacrifices for a better tomorrow.
“We would like the international community to support our efforts to bring peace as early as possible. We shall neither be lacking in resolve nor in commitment, and expect our partners in this struggle to show trust and understanding,” the PM said.
He said while Pakistan fights the scourge of extremism and terrorism, “we cannot afford to be oblivious of the need to address the root causes with judicious use of force where necessary”. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk