Pakistan is Safe from External Threat: President
'Pakistan Times' Sindh Bureau

KARACHI: President General Pervez Musharraf has said that by the grace of Allah Almighty Pakistan today is safe from external threat.

Addressing military officers here at Baharia Auditorium here on Tuesday. Earlier, he attended the opening session of the Naval exercise ‘Shamsheer-e-Behr’ at PNS Jauhar Auditorium.

Addressing the Naval, Army and Air Force officers, President Gen. Musharraf said “Alhamdolillah” Pakistan today is safe from external threat.

“The country’s capability in all the three services is in consonance with our strategy of deterrence, “ he added.

The President pointed out that our offensive-defensive strategy is the strategy of deterrence. Therefore, there is no external threat, he added.

He said he is a firm believer of defence for peace through strength because the peace will never come through weakness.

Gen. Musharraf said it is strength which will deter war and will ensure peace.

The spokesman of the President, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Rashid Qureshi briefed the media about the event.

President Gen. Musharraf while speaking to officers of Navy, Army and Air Force spoke about the general issues facing the country.

The President talked about critical issues which are capable of having profound effects on Pakistan’s security and its well being.

The President also identified the responsibilities of the government and added that these are to ensure security, progress and development of the nation and its people, adding he said the government is working for the welfare of the people.

The President went on to identify the areas of threat to Pakistan- the external threat and the internal threat.

Dilating on the external threat he gave an overview, as of how Pakistan today was fully capable of taking on any external threat to the country.

Spokesman said the President also underscored the strengths of the armed forces.

He said ultimately as a result of the actions that have been taken by the government and the armed forces Pakistan is today in a better position to defend the motherland from any external threat.

The President went on to say that the economy, which he said, plays basic role for the development of the nation, for progress as well as for the welfare of the people.

Economic Gains

He also spoke of the economic gains achieved over the last eight years as well as the rapid pace of infrastructural development that has taken place in the country.

The President identified the efforts of the government for the development of various sectors including education and health.

He also dilated on the steps that are being taken for poverty alleviation, and tackling the problem of unemployment.

The President also identified the areas where efforts have been made to empower the people to earn better livelihood and get better jobs.

He also talked about the ‘Rozgar’ scheme as well as the internship scheme.

He also dwelt on inflation and the measures that are being taken for controlling it, sustaining the growth in various sectors of the oconomy.

About extremism and terrorism terming them serious issues, he said “not just the government or any individual but the people of Pakistan have to stand up against such trends and it is the only way the menace of terrorism can be controlled.”

In very firm words, the President reiterated that he will not allow and no one who is a true Pakistani can allow destabilisation of Pakistan.

“We want firmly check those steps which could have negative effects on the national economy” he added.

Pakistan Navy Exercise

And, while attending the opening session of Pakistan Navy’s war game exercise ‘Shamsheer-e-Behr III at PNS Jauhar on Tuesday, President General Pervez Musharraf
said that a strong and viable Navy is indispensable for obtaining a conducive maritime environment.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Ehsan-ul-Haq, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed along with other senior officers of the three services were also present on the occasion.

A press release of the ISPR (Navy) said the President further stated that although Pakistan is blessed with enormous maritime potential this sector remained neglected for the past many decades.

He highlighted that the government is cognizant of the importance of sea and has focused on the development of maritime sector.

In this regard development of Gwadar deep seaport is a manifestation of government’s resolve to uplift the maritime sector.

Gwadar Port holds great potential for the country’s economy.

He reiterated that the Navy has been given due priority in the Armed Forces Development Plan.

The President appreciated that Pakistan Navy is the only regional force that has held command of Multi National Task Force-150 twice which is indeed a manifestation of its professional prowess and international standing.

These undertakings have not only helped raise Pakistan’s stature but also reflect Pakistan’s resolve towards maintaining stability in the regional maritime domain.

Earlier, in this biennial exercise of Pakistan Navy, in which elements of Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force also participate, the opposing force commanders presented their concept of operations.

The war game is designed to revalidate Navy’s operational concepts and evaluate new ones in the backdrop of emerging trends in the regional and global geo-strategic environment.●