Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat has said Pakistan's armed forces are fully capable, prepared and motivated to respond to the entire spectrum of threats.

Addressing the passing out parade of PAF cadets at Asghar Khan Academy in Risalpur today (Thursday), he said being sons of the soil, we will defend the motherland with our sweat and blood with the support of the nation.

General Zubair Mahmood Hayat said Pakistan is a peace loving nation and desires harmonious relations with all countries especially the neighbours. He, however, said this desire must not be construed wrongly.

He said as a nation we have rendered great human and material sacrifices for lasting peace in the region. He categorically stated that Pakistan will not make any compromise on the interest of its nation, territorial integrity and sovereignty. He said Pakistan will not allow any country or hostile agency to misrepresent our intent or action.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and has noted the pronouncements from the eastern border indicating possible changes in policy and posture in various aspects of nuclear domain.

He said Pakistan has kept a close eye on the strategic force development and deployment of the ballistic missile defense. He said Pakistan has a credible, potent, reliable and effective strategic capability which will continue to provide full range of real options to the national command authority. He said our policy of full spectrum deterrence underpin our national strategy in this regard.

The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee said Pakistan's strategic and nuclear programme is fundamental part of our national security construct. He said Pakistan will continue to maintain strategic balance in South Asia at all costs without indulging in the arms race.

Referring to the fascist and racist policies of India, General Zubair said these pose threat to the whole region.

He said Pakistan Air Force once against proved its superiority when it took the enemy by surprise. He appreciated the PAF for shooting down the two aircraft of the enemy in the dogfight and arresting one of the pilots.

The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee said there can be no lasting peace in South Asia without the just settlement of Kashmir dispute. He said Pakistan rejects forceful annexation of occupied Kashmir by India. This is illegal and not acceptable to Kashmiris or Pakistan.

Strongly condemning the blatant human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, he said the indefinite curfew and lockdown in the held valley is a blot on the human conscience. He said Pakistan will continue its moral, diplomatic and political support to their Kashmiri brethern. He said Kashmir runs in our blood because Kashmir is Pakistan and Pakistan is Kashmir.

Referring to Afghanistan, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee said Pakistan has meaningfully contributed to regional peace and stability. He said despite recent events, Pakistan shall continue all out efforts for the Afghan peace process which leads to an enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan