Wishing peace is not weakness: PM Abbasi

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence and its desire for peace must not be construed as a sign of weakness and indifference to developments taking place in the region.

He said Pakistan is in safe hands and would rise and stand tall with grace among the comity of nations by foiling all designs against it. 

“A concocted narrative is being spread against us by unscrupulous and vested elements. This is not new to us and we shall foil all such designs with unity and keeping the national unity supreme,” the prime minister said while addressing as chief guest at the Pakistan Navy''s 108th Midshipmen and 17th Short Service Commissioning Course commissioning parade here on Saturday.

The prime minister said Pakistan is committed to friendly ties with neighbouring countries. He explained that any disguised or unnatural arrangement for supremacy would neither succeed nor serve the purpose of peace and stability. He said Pakistan believes in peace and co-existence and that the people of this region deserve a better and prosperous life but this dream could only come true after dispensing with the hegemonic ambitions and following a policy of cooperation and coherence.

The premier said the Pakistan Navy has been contributing to the overall deterrence and national security and in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor with Gwadar Port being its central component, its role has increased. The prime minister said operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fasad were not merely the military operations, rather those were the manifestations of the nation’s resolve to cleanse Pakistan of the scourge of terrorism. “Our security forces are playing role in harmony with other national institutions,” he added. He said Pakistan is committed to foil the designs aimed at disrupting peace in the region.

He congratulated the passed out cadets and their proud parents, saying the confidence of the cadets is the symbol of a strong country. “Commissioning is a defining moment in your career that you will always treasure,” he said, adding: “Today you will assume the responsibility to defend the maritime frontiers of our homeland and to guard its ideology, integrity and freedom, even at the cost of your lives.”

Prime Minister Abbasi said the Pakistan Navy is vigilant and determined to defend the maritime interests of Pakistan. He said the role of Pakistan Navy in Combined Naval Forces had been recognised across the world. He said it is government’s resolve to make all resources available to strengthen the Pakistan Navy for making our maritime defence impregnable and promoting the blue economy. He said it is pleasing that the Pakistan Navy is rapidly developing its indigenous capability and pursuing it with greater vigour. “I assure you that the nation stands firmly behind you and shall assure that the Pakistan Navy is equipped with the necessary means to protect our maritime interests,” he said.

The premier said the Pakistan Navy is capable to face any challenge and hoped that the passing out cadets would lead by their conduct, integrity, knowledge and foresight.

The prime minister said he is also proud to note that the Pakistan Navy has been training the naval cadets from different countries and hoped that the cadets would carry happy memories from Pakistan and the cooperation would continue in future as well.

He also paid tributes to the martyrs of the security forces who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. Earlier, the prime minister also gave away the prizes to the cadets who showed excellence during the training process.

The ceremony was also attended by Minister for Defence Khurram Dastgir, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Governor Muhammad Zubair and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi.

On his arrival at the Pakistan Naval Academy Minora, the prime minister was received by the naval chief. In total, 129 officers passed out including 57 Pakistani, 46 foreigners and 26 from the Short Service Commissioning course. The officers from other countries included from Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.

NNI adds: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif hit out at US Vice President Mike Pence who during his visit to Kabul warned Pakistan that it has much to lose by harbouring “criminals and terrorists”.

In a statement on his official Twitter account, the minister said: “Don’t blame or threaten us, learn from our experience in war against terror if that is our common objective.”

He further said: “Frustrations on diplomatic front in the UN and the war in Afghanistan are reflected in statements of the US administration.”