Pak to maintain minimum credible defence deterrenec

Islamabad, Mar 9 (UNI) Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf today said his country was not into an arms race in the region but would maintain policy of minimum credible defensive deterrence without any compromise.

Speaking at inauguration of Centers of Excellence in Science and Advanced Technology (CESAT) of the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), a premier facility involved in indigenous manufacturing of short, medium and long-range missiles, he said strategic capability has been developed for the defence of the country against any aggression.

''We are not in an arms race but we have to maintain the strategy of defensive deterrence,'' he stressed, saying ''we will guard our defence jealously.'' President Musharraf said the government would continue to develop and equip the armed forces with necessary weapons and equipments.

He said that with the advancement of technology, the accuracy and lethality of weapon systems have increased and therefore, quantifying level of force was no more an issue as long as a country continue to develop weapon system.

The President expressed satisfaction over the successes in the development of strategic assets and organisations like the NESCOM, National Command Authority (NCA).

''In the last six years the country has achieved far more than what was even planned in the past,'' he added.

''The design of Shaheen-1, Shaheen-2, Ghauri 1 and 2 makes the nation very proud," President Musharraf said.

Pakistan began test firing different versions of missiles in April 1998 and most of them including Ghauri, Shaheen and cruise missile Babur have already been deployed to the army strategic command.

The President also said that the design of Cruise missile ''Babur'' has astounded the world as it has a sophisticated system that incorporates technologies that have so far been in the control of three or four most advanced nations.

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