Nation stands behind armed forces to defeat anti-Pakistan elements, says PM Shehbaz

He was addressing at passing out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Air Force’s Asghar Khan Academy

RISALPUR (APP) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the whole nation stood behind its armed forces like a solid rock and it would continue to do so in future to defeat the evil designs of anti-Pakistan forces. 

"This mutual bond of love, devotion and abiding reverence has remained unbroken. I have unwavering belief that our armed forces will always live up to the expectation of the people in future as well," he said in his address at the passing out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Air Force’s Asghar Khan Academy. 

The prime minister congratulated the graduating cadets, their parents and the faculty on the most memorable moments of their lives. 

PM Shehbaz said over the last two decades the nation had been tested by a combination of challenges such as terrorism, extremism and militancy. “The manner in which our armed forces, including the air force, police and intelligence community have risen to the challenges and neutralised the threats to our national security is simply outstanding.”

He lauded the PAF leaderships to make the Pakistan Air Force a truly professional, progressive and high-tech organisation. 

He recalled the recent example of the PAF’s true professionalism when it showed befitting and determined response to the Indian aggression in February 2019. “The whole world saw how our brave sons humiliated the Indian air force and show of exceptional skill and expertise,” he added.

With respect to the economic challenges, the prime minister said that the global economic crisis adversely affected all walks of life in the country. However, he vowed not to let the people at the mercy of the disruptions in the global markets.

“We need to build resilience and protect our economy from global shocks. This is possible if we think long and hard and introduce structural reforms in the economy to make it sustainable,” he said adding it is for this purpose that he had always been a strong proponent of the charter of economy.

“Let me assure that we are making all effort to bring our economy back on track. Thanks to the tough decisions at the cost of our political assets, we are on the way to overcome these challenges successfully one day soon.”

The prime minister said Pakistan was a peace-loving nation and wished to maintain friendly ties with all countries specially neighboring countries, however he said “our desire for peace must not be misunderstood as weakness”.

He said there could be no peace in South Asia without a just and fair settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the UN aspiration and the aspiration of the people of Kashmir.

“We condemn the grave human rights violation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and urge the world to take note of the illegal changes by India post August 2019,” he added.

Earlier, the PM reviewed the parade and presented awards to cadets. PAF’s Sherdil Squadron also displayed a splendid air display on the occasion.

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb and other civil and military officials were also present on the occasion.