Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman on Monday warned that if the global terror network Daesh/ISIS dared to look towards Pakistan, it would get a befitting response and its fate would not be different from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Speaking at a book launching ceremony "Defence and Diplomacy", authored by Group Captain Sultan M. Hali (Retd), a security analyst, here at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), the Air Chief said that the country's security apparatus and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were well-equipped to deal with Daesh and PAF would not disappoint the nation.
He said that Daesh would be given a befitting response if it looked towards Pakistan. He recounted the PAF successful operations against the TTP militants and other terror groups during the on-going military operations, adding that PAF has effectively destroyed the terrorists' infrastructure in tribal areas through comprehensive strikes.
The Air Chief said that PAF played an important role in breaking the terrorists' network, so that our future generations can live in peace. He further said that PAF's role in the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb will bring stability in Pakistan, adding that we can ensure a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan only if we get rid of the menace of terrorism.
He said that all the institutions were on the same page as far as the issues of national security are concerned. He said it was for the first time in the country's history that the civil and military leadership have a complete unanimity. He further said that there was a need to strengthen institutions. The Air Chief said Pakistan Air Force has always been very effective and has fought to the best of its ability.
He also stated that the Air Force, under his command is planning for years ahead and is in the process of manufacturing aircraft, training personnel and fighting groups like Daesh is not a very big challenge for an able and professional force like the PAF. He said that from the Pilot Officers to the technicians, the entire force is comprised of thoroughly professional people.
He also mentioned the importance of research to the policy making process and how awareness among policy makers is important for decisions to be taken effectively. The Air Chief also lauded Group Captain (Retd) Hali's important contribution to the discourse on Pakistan's Foreign and Security Policy. Ambassador Masood Khan, the Director General Institute of Strategic Studies, while introducing the speaker, said that S.M. Hali has a deep understanding of Pakistan's interests and is an ardent defender of Pakistan's causes. These facets are fully reflected in Hali's book "Defence and Diplomacy".
Ambassador Khan also paid tribute to Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman for his effective leadership of the Air Force, his intellectual depth and his professionalism. Two eminent panellists, Lieutenant General Talat Masood and Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi also commented on the book. Lieutenant General Talat Masood (Retd), and eminent analyst, praised Group Captain (Retd) S. M. Hali's valuable contribution to the intellectual discourse and shed light on the wide range of issues covered in the book. He also appreciated Hali's engagement with research and his eye for detail, without losing touch with objectivity. Moreover, Lieutenant General (Retd) Talat Masood also appreciated the all encompassing approach of the author in bringing out a comprehensive volume which is both analytical and insightful. Similarly, he said that S.M. Hali presents Pakistan's point of view with great force, which is reflective of great confidence to the outside world.
Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, while expressing his views about SM Hali's book Defence and Diplomacy stated that the book has an excellent theme and lauded it as a much needed addition to the existing literature on the subject. He said that the book is an excellent record of the past decade and policy makers as well as students should benefit from valuable additions like this.
Group Captain S. M. Hali (Retd), appreciated his mentors in the Pakistan Air Force and informed the audience about the painstaking and arduous journey that he covered while putting this book in shape and gave an example of a chapter on RAW, which took him several years to complete. He also shared an audio message from the former Chief of Air Staff Air marshal Asghar Khan. The Book Launch was concluded by closing remarks by the Chairman of the Institute of Strategic Studies, former Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, who appreciated Hali's contributions to electronic and print media and for producing an excellent academic piece which dwells on objectivity and clarity of thought and understanding.
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