KARACHI: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat said on Saturday Pakistan knew that Indian intelligence agency RAW was operating from Afghanistan to create unrest in Balochistan and other parts of the country.

“Pakistan is fully aware of threats from hostile intelligence agencies, especially RAW. These hostile agencies are operating from Afghanistan and other locations to create unrest in Pakistan in general and Balochistan in particular. Their designs/actions to sabotage the CPEC [China-Pakistan Econo­mic Corridor] are also well known,” he said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the 107th midshipmen and 16th short service commission course commissioning parade at the Pakistan Naval Academy PNS Rahbar on Sat­urday comprising 72 Pakistani and 28 officers from friendly countries.

Says designs of hostile intelligence agencies against CPEC are well known

“Pakistan is confronting adve­rsaries who are involved in an indirect sub-conventional warfare against us,” he said, adding: “This array of sub-conventional threats is augmented by existential conventional threat from East where asymmetry has reached a critical threshold.”

He said that to deal with these challenges, Pakistan was committed to undertaking synergistic efforts at the national level and the armed forces had a pivotal role to play in this regard. “Make no mistake...we will beat back the enemy’s design.”

Gen Zubair said that Pakistan sought harmonious and peaceful co-existence with all countries, especially our neighbours. “However, Pakistan’s quest for peace and stability has to be in consonance with our national interest, sovereign rights and national pride.”

“We desire to work with our allies, friends and partners to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity to the region and beyond,” he added.

He said Pakistan viewed with great concern the gross atrocities being committed by India in held Kashmir.

“Rapid development of CPEC, Gwadar as its pivot, maritime security all along the coast has assumed added significance,” he said, adding that it was satisfying to note that Pakistan Navy has raised Task Force-88 for maritime security of CPEC and the Gwadar port to address conventional as well as sub-conventional threats.

He further said that in the current scenario a potent and modern navy was indispensable to address the challenges in the maritime domain.

While congratulating and extending felicitations to the graduating officers on achieving this milestone, General Zubair urged them to hold fast to the qualities of honour, integrity and selfless devotion. He encouraged them to develop trust and confidence in their team and instil within a true spirit of unity of purpose. He expressed his satisfaction to note that Pakistan Navy is also extending its support in training future officers of friendly nations. He hoped that they would prove worthy of their mettle in their respective navies.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy, Cdre Mirza Foad Amin Baig, highlighted the salient features of officers’ training.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2017