Islamabad: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a speech Saturday at the Pakistan Military Academy that the country’s defence cannot be bolstered without building a strong economy, strengthening democracy and eliminating terrorism.
Addressing a passing out parade at the academy Kakul in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, he said the entire nation stands by the army to help it achieve the national goals. The prime minister said all resources will be provided to ensure the impregnable defence of the country.
Seven of the cadets who passed out after successful completion of the course were from Palestine and Bahrain.
Earlier, army chief General Raheel Sharif greeted the prime minister on his arrival at Kakul. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid also attended the function.
The premier’s Kakul visit comes against the backdrop of reports of friction between the army and the government following recent remarks by the defence minister in connection with ongoing treason trial of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
Concerns
During the army chief’s visit to the Special Service Group headquarters earlier this month, soldiers expressed concerns over “undue criticism” of the institution of army, said a press release of the Inter-Services Public Relations, without referring to the minister’s remarks.
General Sharif, responding to the concerns, had stated that while the army upholds the dignity of all other institutions it would “resolutely preserve” its own dignity and “institutional pride.
The defence minister on Friday issued a statement in which he regretted what he called “false and misleading” media coverae of his remarks and reaffirmed his support and respect for the armed forces. He said he holds the army “in high esteem.”
