Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during an inspection of military exercises showcasing combat-readiness of the armed forces on Wednesday, warned that any efforts to harm Pakistan's national security will be met with a "befitting response".
PM Nawaz and Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif inspected the military exercises conducted by the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force at Khairpur Tamewali near Bahawalpur, just days after seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in cross-border firing across the Line of Control (LoC).
Addressing the audience after conclusion of the military exercises, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said, "Exercise Raad ul Barq establishes that Pakistan is ready to confront any ambitious and reckless move by its enemies."
"These exercises reflect the preparedness of our armed forces to respond to any threat to national security."
"No country can remain oblivious to threats to national security," the premier said.
Referring to Indian 'aggression' in India-held Kashmir, Nawaz said, "The brutal tactics used to curb recent spontaneous and indigenous movements in Jammu and Kashmir have been counter-productive."
"Killing of civilians and soldiers along the LoC is another act of aggression that warrants international attention," he added. "The situation at the border remains sensitive due to India's grave violation of the ceasefire agreement."
"It is extremely unfortunate that South Asia remains prone to confrontation and the security situation remains fragile," Nawaz added.
He said that a policy of non-interference is practised by the state of Pakistan, which "expects the same from others to enable lasting peace in our region."
"We cannot remain detached from recent developments in the region. Efforts to harm security and territorial integrity will be met with befitting response"
"The enemies of Pakistan have made their intentions well-known," he said.
"They cannot tolerate signs of development in this country," which is why Pakistan has become a victim of terrorism, he claimed.
The premier, identifying Kashmir as a core source of tension between Pakistan and India, said that the matter should be "addressed in a sincere and comprehensive manner keeping in mind the aspirations of Kashmiri people and UN resolutions."
"CPEC is well on way to becoming fully operation in the coming months and years. All efforts will be made to ensure all projects are completed in given time frame," the prime minister said.
"We have achieved what countries with far more resources have not been able to achieve," Nawaz added.
Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Asim Bajwa said in a tweet that Exercise Raad-ul-Barq is a comprehensive, integrated exercise that encompasses all weapons and calibers and showcases the combat-readiness of the armed forces "against our enemy".
The COAS briefed the gathering about the exercises before the event began and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmoud and the three services chiefs are attending the event.
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