No peace without settlement of Kashmir issue: PM

RISALPUR: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Tuesday that regional peace hinges on the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India.

“In no uncertain terms, let me emphasise that peace is unattainable without addressing the Jammu and Kashmir issue,” he declared during his address at the graduation ceremony for officers at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy, Asghar Khan.

Prime Minister Kakar conveyed that Pakistan, as a peace-loving nation, aspired to foster friendly relations with all countries, particularly its neighbours. However, he underlined that the nation’s pursuit of peace should not be misconstrued as weakness.

Strongly condemning the human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the prime minister affirmed that Pakistan would not engage in an arms race but would enhance its capabilities in alignment with evolving technology to deter aggression.

He highlighted the significant impact of the rapidly changing geo-strategic environment on Pakistan and the region. “Therefore, the situation demands advancements in space networks, cyber technology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence,” he remarked.

Expressing satisfaction at the PAF’s modernisation efforts, Kakar commended the smart integration of cutting-edge niche technology and the notable progress in cyberspace and non-contact warfare through indigenous means. The prime minister praised Pakistan’s armed forces as professionally competent and well-trained to address internal and external challenges. “The nation holds our armed forces in high esteem for the sacrifices they rendered for national defence and their contribution towards nation-building,” he said.

Assuring the nation, he said, “I assure you that as a nation, we have surmounted challenges in the past, and Insha’Allah, we will do so in the future and make the country prosperous.”

Congratulating the cadets graduating from flying training and aeronautical engineering colleges, Kakar expressed confidence in their commitment and diligence in delivering their best professional performance.

“As custodians of the PAF, you carry the hopes of this nation and must work hard to keep abreast with modern technology and trends related to modern warfare,” he advised the graduates.

The PAF graduates comprised 148 general duty pilots, 94 aeronautical engineers, 104 air defence officers, and 130 combat support course officers.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu received the prime minister at the venue.

During the ceremony, Kakar awarded the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Banner to the Champions No3 Squadron for consistently outstanding performance. The prime minister, on a PAF jeep, inspected the smartly turned-out contingents of the PAF falcons. He also awarded badges to professionally distinguished graduating cadets. Chief of the Air Staff trophies for best performance were presented to Muhammad Moosa Jawad (best pilot), Muhammad Ali Gohar (general aviation), Sajid Sikandar Abbas (air defence), Syed Saad Ali (combat support), and Sohaib Saeed (aeronautical engineering). The Swords of Honour were conferred upon Aviation Cadets Ahmed Malik (flying) and Sohaib Saeed (engineering). The prime minister witnessed a thrilling fly-past of PAF jet formations, including Mirage, F-7P, JF-17 Thunder, and J-10C.