Strong defence ultimate guarantee to peace in Pak : Aziz

Islamabad, Nov 5 (UNI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz today supported the emergency imposed in the country saying ''strong and credible defence is the ultimate guarantee to peace''.

While chairing a meeting of Defence Committee of the Cabinet, he said Pakistan is a peaceful country, however, the government believed in maintaining minimum credible defence to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Mr Aziz was quoted as saying by Associated Press of Pakistan that Pakistan does not have aggressive designs against any country and believes in the peaceful settlement of international disputes through diplomatic efforts.

He said Pakistan's defence policy is based on peaceful co-existence and is in conformity with the prevailing geo-strategic environment and the national aspirations.

The government was fully cognizant of the country's defence needs and would make necessary resources available to modernize and upgrade its defence forces in view of the fast paced ongoing technological developments, he added.

UNI