Outgoing army chief General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said that India should not mistake Pakistan’s patience for weakness.
He was addressing the change of command ceremony held in Rawalpindi.
“Unfortunately, in recent months, increasing state terrorism in (Indian) occupied Kashmir, and India’s aggressive steps have put the region’s peace in danger. I want to make it clear to India that considering our policy of restraint a weakness would be dangerous for her,” he said.
“This is reality, that in South Asia, lasting peace and progress is impossible without solution of the Kashmir issue. For that, international community’s special attention is necessary,” Gen Sharif said.
Gen Raheel Sharif said he was thankful to the Almighty for having given him the opportunity to command the world’s best army.
He also thanked the armed forces and the Pakistani nation for their resolve and support during every step of his journey. “I always prioritised national interest in every decision I made during my tenure as army chief. I am absolutely certain the Pakistan Army will always fulfill the nation’s expectations,” he said.
Praising the efforts of the armed forces in the war against terrorism, Gen Raheel Sharif said that the war had been successful and its results were evident. “However, the security situation in the region remains complicated. It is the need of the hour that the entire nation unites to counter the challenges Pakistan faces,” he said.
He said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a great example of budding peace and prosperity in the region.
“The first CPEC shipment at Gwadar Port has proven that the country’s journey to progress cannot be stopped now,” he said, adding that the enemies of CPEC should stop opposing the project and start benefiting from it.
Gen Raheel Sharif said that he believed in strong institutions and called for all the institutions to work together for peace and prosperity of the country.
