Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday said that Pakistan is opposed to arms race in the region and was pursuing a national security strategy to secure country's national integrity, solidarity and economic sovereignty.
Addressing the commissioning parade of batches of 113 Long Course, 18 Technical Graduate Course and 32nd Integrated Course here at the Pakistan Military Academy, the Prime Minister said Pakistan's strategic capability was sufficient to meet current and future challenges.
"Peace is achieved through strength and not weakness, and as a responsible nuclear weapon state, we adhere to the doctrine of minimum credible deterrence," he added.
Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan has also developed a strong command and control structure to protect its strategic assets, adding a durable peace in South Asia requires a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
"All of us need to demonstrate courage, flexibility, magnanimity and above all passion for a solution," he added. Strongly opposing any arms race in the region, Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan instead has repeatedly sought a Strategic Restraint Regime since 1998.
Terming the Third Millennium as a challenging time, the Prime Minister said: "Let us face these challenges with courage, unity and commitment."
He said: "Now as never before Pakistan needs people who aspire to lead and to serve. We look to you, as highly trained and motivated men to play a dynamic role in leading the defence force in the 21st Century."
The Prime Minister said though Pakistan endeavoured and prayed for peace, but stressed that it must be on guard to defend its freedom.
On the domestic front, he aid the government would not allow anyone to challenge the writ of the government.
"We will not tolerate the tendencies of state within state. We are determined to reinforce writ of the Government", said the Prime Minister.
He made it clear that a "tiny element hostile to development and stability" will not be allowed to impinge on country's journey to progress.
"We are firm in our resolve to develop all areas that have been neglected in the past, and are relentless in our efforts to ameliorate the lot of our people," he added.
The Prime Minister urged the young graduates to leverage their true potential by harnessing their innovative capabilities.
"We will, Inshallah, build a smarter, peaceful, more vibrant, developed and progressive Pakistan and occupy our true position in the comity of nations. Together we can rise. Together we can build," said Shaukat Aziz.
He said the nature of warfare was in transition because of rapid technological advances and terrorism. The changing operational concepts, weaponry, military doctrine and increasing natural disasters demanded adjustments in training contours, he added.
About his vision for Pakistan, the Prime Minister said he desired to see a developed, industrialised, just, and prosperous Pakistan through rapid and sustainable development by developing knowledge inputs.
"We seek to engage globally, we must ensure a strong web of national security across the spectrum of engagement to protect our citizens and interests both at home and abroad", he added.
On the political front, the Prime Minister said: "We are fortifying institutional democratic values and institutions. We have brought democracy to the door-step of the voters through devolution and empowerment of the people, including women at the grassroots level."
Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan was located at the confluence of three volatile yet vital regions - South, Central and West Asia. Providing shortest access to the sea for all land-locked countries of Central Asia, Afghanistan and Western China, its geo-strategic location and international compulsions have revitalised role in promoting the multi-sectoral intra-regional co-operation.
"Our success in this environment will largely depend upon our leadership, sustained hard work and the quest to aim for excellence. Nations that do not pace with modern-day developments and measure up to current challenges are destined to be left far behind," he added.
Addressing the graduating cadets, the Prime Minister said as proud defenders of the frontiers, it is required of you to live up to the expectations of the nation.
"You need to remain abreast with the technological advancements in your respective fields of specialities and achieve high standards of professionalism", the Prime Minister said.
He said their success depended on maintaining excellence in our core competencies of integrating operations, bringing technology to warfare.
"History of mankind is replete with innumerable examples where a small, professional, and motivated outfit vanquished a numerically superior force," he said.
Shaukat Aziz also warmly felicitated the graduating cadets, their proud parents, relatives and friends and particularly those who earned the coveted sword of honour and trophies.
He especially congratulated the cadets from Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka on successful completion of their training.
The Prime Minister also commended the commandant, faculty members and instructors of the Pakistan Military Academy for their great contribution to forging leadership qualities and preparing them to become proud members of the armed forces.
The Prime Minister was earlier received by the Commandant PMA Lieutenant General Ahsan Azhar Hayat.
He reviewed the parade and presented the Quaid-e-Azam banner to the champion Hamza Company.
Shaukat Aziz also awarded Sword of Honour to Battalion Senior Under Officer Syed Mustajibul Hasan, Presidential Gold Medal to Academy Senior Under Officer Jibran Afzal Afridi, the COAS cane to Course Senior Under Officer Yasir Rashed of Graduate Course 27, the COAS cane to Course Senior Under Officer Muhammad Usman Zulfiqar of Technical Graduate Course 18 and Commandant's Cane to Course Under Officer Ali Jamal.
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