RISALPUR, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that we cannot remain oblivious to defending our sovereignty and protecting our independence despite our desire for peaceful coexistence.
While addressing passing out parade of cadets at Asghar Khan Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy in Risalpur on Tuesday, the prime minister said that Pakistan armed forces are full capable and prepared to respond to any spectrum of threat.
The prime minister said that Pakistan is a peace loving country and has always maintained the policy of having friendly relations with other countries particularly its neighbors.
“We want peaceful neighborly relations,” he said adding that cooperation rather than conflict and shared prosperity rather than mutual suspicion is the hallmark of our policy.
Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan for its part will never hesitate to extend the hand of friendship to all and will never waiver from returning goodwill with even more goodwill. He added that this is in line with our founding father.
“We are living in a rapidly evolving world and the traditional concept of national security has undergone a transformation,” Nawaz said.
The prime minister noted that today war no longer an exclusive sphere of military forces as long as nations strive to preserve their way of life, ideological identity and economic interests, war will continue to be waged in different domains.
Talking about operation against terrorism, Nawaz Sharif expressed satisfaction that it has brought tremendous improvement in the internal security environment.
Sharif said that Pakistan Air Force has played critical role in operation Zarb-e-Azb. He said the nation acknowledged the exemplary valour and outstanding professionalism by armed forces at all tiers.
The prime minister urged the passed out cadets that as Shaheens they should dedicate their energy and abilities to make Pakistan fully secured and well-defended country. He said that the whole nation stands behind you.
Earlier, the prime minister reviewed the parade and gave awards to the cadets. The PAF Sherdil squadron displayed splendid air display on the occasion.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Air Chief Sohail Aman diplomats, and high civil and military officials were also present in the ceremony.
