Enemy’s attempts against Pakistan’s security, terroritorial integrity to meet befitting response: PM

KHAIRPUR TAMEWALI, Nov 16 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif, Wednesday categorically said any attempt to harm Pakistan’s security and territorial integrity would be met with a “befitting response”.
“There is no doubt that the country’s armed forces are battle-hardened
and ready to confront any external and internal security challenges,” the Prime Minister said in his remarks after witnessing the military exercise ‘Raad ul Barq’, jointly conducted by Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force.
Nawaz Sharif said the enemies of Pakistan had made their intentions
well-known against its national integrity and economic prosperity, however said “determination and resilience of our armed forces is a shield that counters any nefarious designs by our adversaries.”
He said exercise Raad ul Barq denoted the commitment of the country’s
armed forces for the cause of national defence and expressed satisfaction that their enhanced capabilities made them “one of the finest fighting forces of the world”.
He expressed gratitude to the servicemen who were “all-time vigilant
and ready to make supreme sacrifices for the sake of country”.
“The strength of our national defence emanates from the integration of
all components of our defence structure that act as one body and an impregnable bulwark against enemy,” he said.
The Prime Minister said no country could remain oblivious of its
national security and added that “Our strategic vision gives utmost priority to the defence of our motherland.”
He said the government was following the policy of non-interference in
other countries’ internal affairs and expected the same to enable lasting peace in the region.
He mentioned that Pakistan had been a major target of terrorism being
supported and financed mainly by external actors.
“No country can tolerate such attacks on its sovereignty.
Our nation and armed forces are successfully countering the malicious designs of our foes,” he said.
He said, “We will not be deterred by the perpetrators of terrorism who will find us even more determined to eradicate this evil, and we are steadfast against all anti-state activities.” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the sacrifices of military personnel would not go in vain as they had enabled to turn the tide in the war against terror.
“From military operation to rehabilitation and reconstruction, and bringing normalcy is the ultimate goal of our law enforcement strategy,” he said.
He termed Operation Zarb-e-Azb as the “most comprehensive, most successful and most robust anti-terror operation in the world”.
The Prime Minister said that Kashmir remained a bone of contention between Pakistan and India and required serious efforts for its resolution in accordance with the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir and resolutions of United Nations.
He said killing of Pakistani soldiers at Line of Control by Indian security forces was “another act of aggression which warrants international attention”. The situation at border remained sensitive due to India’s grave violation of ceasefire violation, he added.
He said exercise Raad ul Barq had established that “Pakistan was ready to confront any ambitious and reckless move by its enemies”.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan had a bright future, and mentioned that international economic organizations had upgraded the country’s ratings with positive outlook.
He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a shining example of Sino-Pak friendship, was on its way to full operation with first trade caravan recently departed from Gwadar.
He said that Pakistan had become part of the trade route that would change its destiny and emphasized that as part of development agenda, no province or region of the country would be deprived of the CPEC’s benefits.
“The dream of a vibrant and progressive Pakistan could not have become a reality unless all state institutions had not come together for our common objective of collectively achieving a peaceful, progressive and democratic Pakistan as envisioned by our founding father Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal,” he said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister witnessed ‘Raad ul Barq’ – Thunder of Lightening – military exercise in Khairpur Tamewali firing range of Cholistan desert.
The comprehensive joint exercise conducted by Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force showcased the combat-readiness of the country’s defence line with live firepower demonstration using heavy artillery, fighter jets and air defence weapons.
The Prime Minister along with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmoud and three services chiefs witnessed the movement of artillery corp’s Khalid tanks successfully engaging targets in the firing range, some 70 kilometers from Bahawalpur.
The PAF’s fighter aircraft including JF-17 Thunder, F-7PG and Mirage hit the targets with agility and precision avoiding the radars.
The manoeuvering Mirage aircraft flew close to ground striking at the designated targets.
The Firing Falcon – formation of four F-16 aircraft, each capable of carrying 24,000 pounds high explosive bombs enough to target 2 x 2 kilometres of land, successfully hit enemy’s targets.
The Cobra Gunship and Z10 helicopters fired missiles having six kilometres range and successfully engaged the targets.
The helicopters of Army Aviation Combat Group that participated in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb also demonstrated their combat potential.
The exercise also demonstrated indigenously developed surface-to-air missiles, multi-barrel rocket launchers, sky radars for target detection and rocket-propelled target system.
The demonstration concluded with a flypast by F-16 aircraft receiving thunderous applause by the audience.
Army Chief Army chief General Raheel Sharif presented a souvenir to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Air Chief Air Marshal Sohail Aman and Naval chief Admiral Zakaullah, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, National Security Adviser Lt.Gen. Nasser Janjua and ambassadors attended the event.
Deputy chief of staff of Saudi armed forces especially arrived in on behalf of the Saudi Crown Prince to witness the military exercise.