Nawaz wants his forces ready for action

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the government wants the defence forces ever-ready for any contingency and for this purpose will their demands will be met so that their long-standing traditions attain perpetuity.
“We want that our defence forces should be ever-ready for any contingency. I commit today, that we will meet demands of our defence forces so that their long standing traditions attain perpetuity,” he said.
Addressing the rolling-out ceremony of the 50th JF-17 Thunder aircraft at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra on Wednesday‚ he said Pakistan’s new defence policy is being formulated keeping in view the ground realities.
Nawaz Sharif said the history of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is marked with proud accomplishments of bravado, commitment and courage.
“Their skill and passion to conquer the skies assure me that our aerial frontiers are safe and secure,” he said.
He said the proficiency of the PAF is not limited to the air alone, but is equally competent to show its mettle in the fields of aircraft-manufacturing, radar and even the drone technology. He said the JF-17 aircraft has not only strengthened our defence but has also led to the growth of aviation industry in Pakistan. He said there were several political and economic compulsions that came his way during his last tenure when his government wanted to embark upon the JF-17 project, but he approved this project disregarding all those pressures as the needs of our armed forces and the defence of the country was our priority, he said.
He said the government will like to ensure that our forces are alert, active and fully equipped with necessary professional skills. He said they know very well that no battle can be won with outdated technology and discarded strategies. Pakistan’s defence strategy is therefore being devised taking into account the present scenario.
He expressed his satisfaction over that country’s military leadership, saying that it is fully cognisant of the changing environment and is following an agreed and well-integrated approach. Our soldiers also believe that Pakistan is not merely a country but a country based on an ideology, he emphasised.
“The new technology and modern expertise have transformed our defence into a great force and when, with help from Allah, such an army advances to defend the country, even death is not an obstacle in its way,” the prime minister asserted.
Nawaz termed production of JF-17 Thunder aircraft as a milestone in the way of self-reliance in the sector of defence production and promotion of the Pak-China friendship. He declared Gwadar Port‚ Chashma Nuclear Power Project‚ Karakoram Highway as “the glaring precedents” of Pak-China friendship.