Islamabad: Describing itself as a "responsible nuclear state," Pakistan's new Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani on Friday said his government would maintain a minimum credible deterrence to ensure peace and stability in the region.
A strong and credible defence was the ultimate guarantee for peace, he told Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, who called on Gillani at the prime minister's secretariat in Islamabad and congratulated him on assuming office.
“Pakistan is a peaceful country and its defence policy is based on peaceful co-existence with its neighbours,” Gillani said.
As a responsible nuclear state, he said Pakistan believed in maintaining a minimum credible deterrence to ensure peace in the region.
The armed forces had an important responsibility to protect the security and territorial integrity of the country, he said.
Kayani informed the premier that the country's defence had been made "impregnable by adopting innovative training and through the induction of modern equipment."
Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir too called on Gillani.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army on Friday said it had recalled 72 senior officers, including six major generals and eight brigadiers, from civil departments.
The recall of army officers from the civil administration was part of Kayani's efforts to insulate the army from politics.
A statement issued by the army said the general headquarters would henceforth not entertain any request for retention or induction of army officers in any civil department.
The civil departments had been asked to finalise plans for the recall of army officers, junior commissioned officers and soldiers by March 20.
Pak to maintain minimum credible deterrence - Sify.com
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