Pakistan's 'impregnable' defence capability should never be challenged: Gilani

Islamabad, Dec 22 (ANI): Pakistan's defence capability is impregnable and should never be challenged, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said.

Addressing at the successful launch of Hatf-V ballistic missile that can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads over a distance of 1,300 kilometres, Gilani said that Pakistan's nuclear weapons were safe, fully secured and under a multi-layered command and control system.

"The test amply demonstrates the credibility of minimum deterrence strategy, which is the cornerstone of our security policy and ensures peace in the region," the Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying at the undisclosed test site.

He said that Pakistan did not "harbour any aggressive designs against anyone. We wish to live in peace with honour and dignity and our nuclear capability is in fact our deterrence against all forms of aggression."

"Let there be no doubt that Pakistan's armed forces are highly professional, motivated and fully capable of safeguarding Pakistan's security against all types of aggression," he added.

Gilani said that the nation and the government stand fully behind its armed forces and support its nuclear and missile programmes, and that Pakistan is "not only here to stay but will also grow from strength to strength in the pursuit of establishing its rightful place in the comity of strong and prosperous nations."

Congratulating all ranks of the Army Strategic Force Command (ASFC) on the successful launch of the missile, the premier said that it was extremely heartening to witness the ASFC troops going through tactical exercise in realistic operational environment to test the "extremely potent strategic missile".

He noted that such exercises were an annual training feature for all missile groups of the ASFC, adding that it was "a matter of great pride for the nation". (ANI)