Vowing to defend Pakistan till the last drop of his blood, President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said there would be no compromise on the country's sovereignty and integrity amidst escalating tension with India.
"Pakistan is a great nation and we will defend the country till the last drop of our blood," Zardari said at the annual day function of his alma mater, Petaro Cadet College, in Sindh province.
The country is passing through a challenging phase and the people will meet these challenges with determination, he said.
The people stand united in defending the independence of the country and there will be no compromise on Pakistan's integrity, sovereignty and freedom, Zardari said.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Sherry Rehman told reporters in Islamabad that Pakistan is acting with utmost restraint and its people could not be deterred from the path of peace and regional cooperation.
"However, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind about the government's resolve and capability to defend Pakistan's territorial integrity," she said. "Our government's policy of restraint should not be viewed as an act of cowardice."
The democratically elected government wanted to protect the Pakistan-India peace process created through years of hard work. It will continue to act with restraint and responsibility, preferring to use international diplomacy as the means to address issues of concern, she said.