Pak to fortify armed forces for 'regional balance'

Pakistan has decided to further strengthen its defence forces and strategic and conventional capabilities to ensure that the country's security is not jeopardised by "efforts to disturb the regional balance".

The decision was made on Tuesday during a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The meet was attended by key cabinet ministers, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Tariq Majid and the three services chiefs.

"The DCC took note of efforts to disturb the regional balance in South Asia and underscored that Pakistan will never allow its security to be jeopardised in any manner. Pakistan's defence forces and its strategic and conventional capabilities will continue to be strengthened," a statement issued after the meeting said, without naming any country. Addressing the meeting, Gilani said, "Strategic stability in South Asia is a prerequisite for enduring peace and prosperity for the peoples of this region. We are mindful of the policies and trends that could undermine strategic stability in our region.

"Pakistan will be obliged to counter such negative trends by all appropriate means," he added.

The committee reviewed security challenges faced by Pakistan and expressed satisfaction at the country's defence preparedness. It also took stock of challenges caused by terrorism and expressed satisfaction at anti-terror operations by security forces.

"It was decided to prosecute with full vigour the counter-terrorism campaign," the statement said.

The country is "united in its resolve to counter terrorism and stood fully behind the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in combating terror", it said.

The committee also renewed the government's resolve to eliminate terrorism and "effectively foil the nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan".

The DCC discussed global and regional developments that are "impacting on the peace and security of Pakistan" and "affirmed the strong commitment of the government and people of Pakistan to defend the country's honour, dignity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity".

In his opening remarks, Gilani said the purpose of the meeting is to "comprehensively evaluate the security situation in the light of global and regional developments and their impact on Pakistan".

He also said there is a need to review ongoing counter-terror and law enforcement actions. Pakistani troops are currently conducting operations against the Taliban and other militants in the northwestern Swat valley and parts of the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, including South Waziristan.

The military claims it has killed over 2,600 militants in the ongoing offensive.

The Taliban have struck back by carrying out a wave of bombings and suicide attacks that has killed over 600 people since October. The attacks have targeted markets, the army's General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, offices of the Inter Services Intelligence and security facilities across the country.

Gilani said the security forces had registered "considerable success against terrorists and militants" in recent months.

"Law enforcement actions in Swat, Malakand, (the tribal belt) and most notably in South Waziristan have been executed with precision and in record time," he said.

Noting that Pakistan had used its own capabilities for this campaign, he said, "The success of our efforts stands out in sharp contrast to what the coalition forces in neighbouring Afghanistan have been able to achieve over the past nine years."

A total of Rs 20.2 billion has been spent during the past six months for rehabilitating people displaced by fighting and for building the capacity of the security forces, he said. The government also hiked the pay of the defence personnel, resulting in additional expenditure of Rs 46 billion annually.

"Defence needs and requirements will continue to receive our utmost attention," Gilani said.