Pakistan is fully aware of the threats emanating from hostile intelligence agencies, especially Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), against the country and the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

CJCSC Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat addresses a passing out parade of naval cadets in Karachi.— DawnNews
CJCSC Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat addresses a passing out parade of naval cadets in Karachi.— DawnNews

The Chairman Joint Chiefs of the Staff Committee, Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, said this while speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony of the 107th Midshipmen commissioning term and 16th Short Service Commission Course at the Pakistan Naval Academy outside Karachi on Saturday.

He said these foreign intelligence agencies are operating from Afghanistan and other locations to foment unrest in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan.

"Their designs [and] oblique actions to sabotage CPEC are also well known," he said.

Editorial: Army’s allegations against RAW

Gen Hayat said Pakistan is confronting adversaries who are involved in an "indirect sub-conventional warfare against us".

Pointing to the existential conventional threat emanating from India, Gen Hayat said asymmetry has reached a critical threshold in the east.

In order to counter such threats, the country's armed forces are committed to undertaking "synergetic national efforts", he said.

"Make no mistake, we will beat back the enemy's design."

Gen Hayat said Pakistan's security forces along with law-enforcement agencies are playing a crucial role in tackling "external state-sponsored elements operating through local proxies".

Former defence secretary Gen (retd) Alam Khattak had said last year that RAW has established a special cell at its Head Quarters in New Delhi to sabotage CPEC and the plan is executed via Afghanistan

“RAW and Afghan NDS have launched joint secret operations against Pakistan by using three Indian consulates in Jalalabad, Kandahar and Mazar e Sharif,” he said at the time.

Gen Hayat in his address said Pakistan seeks a harmonious co-existence with all countries, especially its neighbours, adding that it will continue to make efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

"Stability, security, peace in Afghanistan is fundamental to the security of Pakistan."

He, however, warned that Pakistan's quest for peace and stability is not a "one-way traffic" but it has to factor in national interest and sovereign rights.

Gen Hayat congratulated the passing-out cadets for successfully completing their training. He said maritime security all along the coast, especially Gwadar, had assumed added significance in view of CPEC developments.

The commission term included 100 cadets, including 72 Pakistan Navy cadets and 28 cadets from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.