Friday, 03 September 2010
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Armed forces’ needs to be fulfilled: PM
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Have no hegemonic designs: Gilani
No intention to enter arms race
KARACHI: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Monday that all the needs of the armed forces will be fulfilled and they would be armed in view of world situation.
Speaking at the induction ceremony of F-22P Frigate PNS Shamsher into Pak Navy fleet here on Monday Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan does not harbour any hegemonic designs in the region and does not want to engage in arms race with any country.
PM Gilani said that Pakistan doesn't follow any expansionist policy but it believes that it must maintain minimum deterrence to have peace and stability in the region.
He said that Pakistan is playing greater role than it was assigned for the world peace and regional stability.
He further stated that the nation is proud of Pakistan Navy on the joining of PNS Shamsher in its naval vessels.
PM Gilani also announced Rs50 million for the betterment of the soldiers of Pakistan Navy.
He said the entire nation is quite satisfied on the ship being inducted in Pak Navy fleet, as this is the success of Pak Navy and the Chinese engineers and frigate emerges as the manifestation of the friendship between the two countries.
He added the Sino-Pak friendship is time-tested and this friendship has further been strengthened by this frigate.
Prime Minister Gilani said that Pakistan does not intend to be involved in an arms race with any country but equip its armed forces to meet legitimate defence needs and promotion of peace regardless of economic hardships.
"Our strategic as well as conventional capabilities are focused towards legitimate defence needs and promotion of peace. To this end we will equip our Armed Forces accordingly, regardless of economic hardships", he vowed.
He went on to say that the government also recognises and admires Pakistan Navy's efforts with regard to countering threats of terrorism and piracy, the two phenomenal undertakings especially considering the limited number of assets that it possesses.
He emphasised the importance of indigenous capability of defence production particularly for a resource starved country like Pakistan as it has to maintain a fair balance between its security needs and requirements of economic growth. For this he said, in-country defence production is a logical solution to ensure best utilisation of available resources.
He said the cooperation in naval frigate building is indeed yet another true manifestation of Pakistan-China friendship, which is rightly regarded as a model relationship.
He said, "We are proud on its description as an all-weather, time tested relationship which is higher than the mountains and deeper than the oceans".
He said it is also gratifying to note that the longstanding defence cooperation between Pakistan and China is growing from strength to strength to the mutual benefit of both sides.
He extended Pakistan's profound gratitude to the government and people of China and congratulated them for reaching yet another hallmark in their friendship, with the induction of PNS Shamsher in the PN fleet.
China has delivered the first of four F-22P frigates it is manufacturing for Pakistan. A China Daily said that the first frigate was delivered to Pakistan and the remaining three ships from a 2005 order are expected to be completed and delivered before the end of 2013.
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, applauded the agreement between the two countries to produce the four military vessels. "The F-22P Frigate project is the manifestation of everlasting strategic partnership between Pakistan and China," Bashir said at the delivery ceremony.
Bashir said a nuclear-powered attack submarine recently put into use by India was a concern for Pakistan but added the advanced submarine did not represent a major security threat.-Agencies
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