Karachi: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is facing complex internal and external security challenges at the same time, while India is trying to affect Pakistan’s peace and stability through covert operations and proxy elements instead of direct confrontation after the May conflict last year. He made it clear that Pakistan is fully prepared to protect its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity; however, the country’s basic policy will remain based on peace, dialogue and diplomacy.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing the passing-out parade of the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi on Saturday, where he also congratulated cadets from Pakistani and friendly countries who have completed their training.
In his address, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan is currently fulfilling its responsibilities in a global environment where factors such as geopolitical changes, regional tensions, terrorism and hybrid warfare are creating new challenges for national security. He said that along with the threats faced on the eastern front of the country, terrorism sponsored from the western border also remains a constant test for the security agencies.
The Prime Minister said that the Pakistani armed forces are constantly making sacrifices for the defence of the country and the eradication of terrorism, while the entire nation is united to thwart every nefarious intention of the enemy by expressing solidarity with its forces. He said that Pakistan wants to resolve all disputes through diplomatic means, dialogue and responsible behaviour instead of using force.
Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is playing its role as a responsible and peace-loving state in the international community. Referring to the recent reconciliation progress between the US and Iran, he said that Pakistan played a positive role in advancing the negotiations with the support of friendly countries, which proved to be an important step for peace in the region.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir for his efforts to bring various parties to the negotiating table and promote peace. He termed the recent visit of Iranian President Dr Masoud Peshmerga to Pakistan as a recognition of the strong relations between the two brotherly countries and Pakistan’s diplomatic role.
He said that Pakistan considers the right of self-determination and support for the human rights of the Kashmiri and Palestinian people as a permanent part of its foreign policy and will remain steadfast on this stance.
The Prime Minister said that the current regional situation has further highlighted the importance of maritime security for the global economy. According to him, free maritime traffic, protection of global trade routes and continuity of supply chains have now become indispensable for global economic stability. He assured us that the government will continue to provide full support to the Pakistan Navy to align with modern requirements and further enhance its professional capabilities.
He said that the Pakistan Navy is making new capabilities, including artificial intelligence, modern defence technology and unmanned systems, part of its strategy so that future challenges can be dealt with effectively.
The Prime Minister congratulated the passing-out officers, who included cadets from Turkey, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iraq, Sri Lanka and Djibouti, and said that the training they received would play an important role not only in their individual careers but also in the professional capacity of their respective navies.
He urged the new officers to make integrity, discipline, courage, loyalty and professional responsibility a part of their practical lives. The Prime Minister said that the Navy uniform is an honour as well as a great responsibility, and the challenges of the future can be met only with strong character, modern skills and a spirit of national service.
He concluded his address by expressing his resolve that Pakistan would continue its efforts to promote peace and stability in the region; however, there would be no compromise on the protection of national security and sovereignty.