Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar has said that the PPP-led government has called an all parties conference (APC) on December 2 for evolving a collective strategy against attacks from across the border, while action against drones required modern technology.
"With the opposition, we'll devise a joint strategy to tackle the issue. Pakistan's security is much more important than any other thing", the minister said while talking to reporters after 40th passing out parade of Airport Security Force (ASF) held here on Tuesday. He said that undoubtedly, Pakistan's sovereignty was uppermost under all circumstances, and added that action against the drones, flying at very high altitude, direly required latest technology, for which friendly countries had been approached.
He said that the budget of armed forces was not being slashed, as the depreciation of rupee has already affected a cut in their budget. He said that the greatest danger to Pakistan is from al Qaeda, "as it has no regard for us".
The minister said that there was no program for the sale of the PIA-owned New York Roosevelt Hotel, and the hotel in Paris. He further said that the government would not provide any more funds to PIA. Addressing the passing out parade, he said that the government was determined to wipe out all sorts of terrorism and Pakistan's land would not be allowed to be used against any other country.
He said that there had been over 20 US missile attacks over the past few months against militant targets in the rugged tribal territory bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan has officially protested to the United States that the strikes violated Pakistan's sovereign territory, although some officials said there was a tacit understanding between the two militaries to allow such action, he added.
He watched the march-past of the ASF personnel who had completed their course, and distributed awards and certificates among outstanding officials. ASF Director General Brigadier Fiaz Ahmed Satti, expressed satisfaction over professional training of ASF personnel and said that the mission of ASF was to protect Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from illegal intervention. The DG said that ASF had taken a number of measures on self basis to improve its operational and administrative standard during three years.
He said that about 200 computers had been provided and the process of computerisation was underway at all airports of the country besides establishing a sophisticated computer lab at the ASF Academy. Security and communication devices were also installed to make the security system, he added.