KHAIRPUR TAMEWALI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the sacrifices of military personnel would not go in vain as they had enabled to turn the tide in the war against terror.
"From military operation to rehabilitation and reconstruction, and bringing normalcy is the ultimate goal of our law enforcement strategy," he said.
He termed Operation Zarb-e-Azb as the "most comprehensive, most successful and most robust anti-terror operation in the world".
The Prime Minister said that Kashmir remained a bone of contention between Pakistan and India and required serious efforts for its resolution in accordance with the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir and resolutions of United Nations.
He said killing of Pakistani soldiers at Line of Control by Indian security forces was "another act of aggression which warrants international attention". The situation at border remained sensitive due to India's grave violation of ceasefire violation, he added.
He said exercise Raad ul Barq had established that "Pakistan was ready to confront any ambitious and reckless move by its enemies".
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan had a bright future, and mentioned that international economic organizations had upgraded the country's ratings with positive outlook.
He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a shining example of Sino-Pak friendship, was on its way to full operation with first trade caravan recently departed from Gwadar.
He said that Pakistan had become part of the trade route that would change its destiny and emphasized that as part of development agenda, no province or region of the country would be deprived of the CPEC's benefits.
"The dream of a vibrant and progressive Pakistan could not have become a reality unless all state institutions had not come together for our common objective of collectively achieving a peaceful, progressive and democratic Pakistan as envisioned by our founding father Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal," he said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister witnessed 'Raad ul Barq' – Thunder of Lightening - military exercise in Khairpur Tamewali firing range of Cholistan desert.
The comprehensive joint exercise conducted by Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force showcased the combat-readiness of the country's defence line with live firepower demonstration using heavy artillery, fighter jets and air defence weapons.
The Prime Minister along with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmoud and three services chiefs witnessed the movement of artillery corp's Khalid tanks successfully engaging targets in the firing range, some 70 kilometers from Bahawalpur.
The PAF's fighter aircraft including JF-17 Thunder, F-7PG and Mirage hit the targets with agility and precision avoiding the radars.
The manoeuvering Mirage aircraft flew close to ground striking at the designated targets.
The Firing Falcon - formation of four F-16 aircraft, each capable of carrying 24,000 pounds high explosive bombs enough to target 2 x 2 kilometres of land, successfully hit enemy's targets.
The Cobra Gunship and Z10 helicopters fired missiles having six kilometres range and successfully engaged the targets.
The helicopters of Army Aviation Combat Group that participated in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb also demonstrated their combat potential.
The exercise also demonstrated indigenously developed surface-to-air missiles, multi-barrel rocket launchers, sky radars for target detection and rocket-propelled target system.
The demonstration concluded with a flypast by F-16 aircraft receiving thunderous applause by the audience.
Army Chief Army chief General Raheel Sharif presented a souvenir to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Air Chief Air Marshal Sohail Aman and Naval chief Admiral Zakaullah, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, National Security Adviser Lt.Gen. Nasser Janjua and ambassadors attended the event.
Deputy chief of staff of Saudi armed forces especially arrived in on behalf of the Saudi Crown Prince to witness the military exercise.