Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan’s geo-strategic and geo-economic importance demanded enhanced efforts with regard to regional and global security.

KARACHI: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said Pakistan does not harbour any hegemonic designs in the region, but cannot remain oblivious to the need of equipping its armed forces to enable them to meet legitimate defence needs.

He was speaking at the induction of the second Chinese-built F-22P frigate, PNS Shamsheer, into Pakistan Navy at the dockyard here on Monday. The frigate was built at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai.

“We do not want to engage in an arms race with any country. Our strategic as well as conventional capabilities are focussed towards legitimate defence needs and promotion of peace. To this end we will equip our armed forces accordingly, regardless of economic hardships,” he said.

The prime minister said that a multi-faceted strategic partnership with China would remain the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

He termed the induction of the frigate yet another manifestation of Pakistan-China friendship which was regarded as a model relationship.

“This relationship is underpinned by mutual respect, trust and complete confidence, thus creating the required synergy for progress, development and social harmony not only in our countries but also in Asia and beyond.

“It is based on the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and it is not directed against any country.”

The prime minister said strengthening of relations between the two countries had helped ensure stability and equilibrium in the region for the past six decades.

He said the longstanding defence cooperation between Pakistan and China was growing from strength to strength to the mutual benefit of both sides.

He thanked the government and people of China for helping in the project.

The prime minister praised Chinese cooperation in the development of the Gwadar port and said it had significantly contributed to strengthening the maritime infrastructure in Pakistan and opened new avenues of growth and prosperity in Balochistan.

He said the port would serve as a vital link in developing a land trade route from the Makran coast to the western region of China and Central Asia.

He said the navy was also focussing on development of coastal areas through projects like the Jinnah naval base and support establishments.

He said Pakistan’s geo-strategic and geo-economic importance demanded enhanced efforts with regard to regional and global security.

“We are therefore engaged and are contributing more than our fair share to fight the forces that aim to destabilise and destroy international peace,” he said.

The prime minister praised the efforts of the navy in maintaining guard “not only in our part of Arabian Sea but even beyond to the coast of Africa through which the vital shipping lanes that are jugular vein of global economy pass. The government also recognises and admires Pakistan Navy’s efforts with regard to countering threats of terrorism and piracy, two phenomenal undertakings especially considering the limited assets that it possesses.”

Prime Minister Gilani said the frigate programme also had an indigenisation aspect which would be fulfilled by the construction of the fourth frigate at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

The prime minister announced a grant of Rs50 million for the welfare of the Pakistan Navy fleet troops.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir said the navy’s role had been enhanced to fight terrorism and piracy at high seas and it was continuously participating in Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan and counter-piracy operations.