We want peace, but we are not weak, says PM
islamabad — Pakistan is a peace loving country but this should not be seen as a sign of weakness, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday.
“Cooperation rather than conflict and shared prosperity instead of suspicion are the hallmark of our policy.”
He was addressing cadets at the Asghar Khan Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur.
Sharif said maintaining friendly relations with neighbouring countries was Islamabad’s policy. But this should not be mistaken for weakness.
“We cannot remain oblivious to defending our sovereignty and protecting our independence.”
Sharif ’s remarks came a day after Pakistan awarded death sentence to alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of espionage and waging war against Islamabad.
Sharif said that Pakistan is a peace-loving country and desires good relations with all countries, particularly its neighbours.
He said Pakistan’s armed forces are fully capable and prepared to respond to any spectrum of threats. He said the recent counter-terrorism operations have brought tremendous improvement in the internal security environment.
The prime minister noted that the PAF, besides guarding the airspace of the country, has played a critical role in Operation Zarb-iAzb. The nation has full trust in the country’s armed forces, he said, assuring the government’s full support in equipping the forces to address modern day challenges. “The nation acknowledges
Cooperation rather than conflict and shared prosperity instead of suspicion are the hallmark of our policy Nawz Sharif, Pakistan PM
and commends the valour and outstanding professionalism exhibited by the PAF and its leadership at all tiers,” he remarked.
The premier said the concept of national security has undergone a transformation and wars are no longer an exclusive sphere of military forces.
As long as nations strive to preserve their way of life, ideological identity and economic interests, wars will continue to be waged in different domains, he added.
Sharif congratulated the graduating cadets and faculty of the academy for maintaining “the highest standards of excellence and professionalism”.
He urged the young graduates to dedicate their energies to make Pakistan fully secure and a welldefended country.— IANS, APP