Days after Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh demanded that India attack Pakistan to dismantle terrorist centres, President Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that there should be a change in mindset about threatening his country.
"We are a strong nation and nobody dare to threaten or coerce us," he said, without directly referring to the BJP leader's remarks.
At a function organised by PTV late Sunday night to mark Pakistan's Independence Day, he said he has mixed feelings when he hears statements that Pakistan should be attacked.
"In one way I feel sad and, on the other hand, get angry because I am a soldier, I am not a defensive person, never learnt to be defensive. Also I feel like laughing. Gone are those days and change the mindset," he said.
"Those who think that Pakistan can be brought under pressure with hallow words, it is not possible. Change the mindset. This Pakistan is a strong country. Nobody can punish us and nobody can come close to our Line of Control. This should be clear. Nobody should have misconceptions about it." he said.
"They should change their mindsets about threatening Pakistan and trying to punish Pakistan. We will not tolerate such language in the future. This is a proud nation. We do not threaten anyone and do not accept threats from anyone. Let that be clear," he said.
Referring to the range of missiles Pakistan has, including medium range missiles like Shaheen-II and Babur, he said, "Pakistan is a powerful country and we demand that we be dealt with sovereign equality."
Musharraf said the country's defence has been made impregnable and 'no one dare threaten or cast an evil eye on it'.
"The defence of Pakistan had been made strong and now it no longer depends on external sources," he said and referred to the 'indigenisation of defence production', including Al-Khalid tank, Agosta submarine, JF-Thunder combat aircraft and Babar cruise missile.
In his speech, Musharraf also referred to the historic, cultural and religious diversity of Pakistan.
Besides Islamic religious places, Pakistan has Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu religious shrines, he said, and referred to Khatas Raj temple in Punjab, which is believed to have been frequented by the Pandavas and is currently being renovated.
He also said Pakistan has important Sikh shrines like Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Guru Nanak.
On the domestic front, Musharraf claimed the government had introduced a sustainable democracy in the country and politically empowered the people at the grassroots level, even though opposition parties belittled it.
Without directly referring to criticism levelled by the former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif who live abroad, he urged the people to project abroad a true image of Pakistan and actively counter those who may try to bring a bad name to it.
"We should have a burning passion for the progress and development of this nation of ours," he said.