No aggressive designs: Sharif

Islamabad, Aug 14: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said that Pakistan harbours no aggressive designs against any country and detonation...

Islamabad, Aug 14: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said that Pakistan harbours no aggressive designs against any country and detonation of nuclear devices in may this year was to safeguard country8217;s security.

Pakistan has acquired nuclear capability possessed only by six other countries and quot;given us a sense of security and confidence. This capability demands of us to live as a dignified, responsible and resolute nation in the world,quot; Sharif said addressing flag hoisting ceremony here on the occasion of country8217;s 51st Independence Day.

quot;It could be said with certainty that Pakistani nuclear tests have averted the dangers of nuclear destruction, which the South Asia faced after India8217;s tests,quot; he said.

Congratulating the nation on becoming a nuclear power, Sharif said Chagai blasts have secured independence of the country for all times to come.

He claimed nuclearisation of South Asia has highlighted the need for resolution of the Kashmir dispute and said Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to thesufferings of Kashmiri brethren and would continue to support them till they achieve fundamental rights of self determination.

Sharif said India will have to come to the negotiation table with Pakistan to settle the Kashmir dispute and accused India of quot;using force to crush Kashmiri people.quot;

quot;Pakistan will keep on raising voice in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir until they achieve their right of self determination.quot;

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Sharif referred to the tremendous foreign pressure following the tests subjecting Pakistan to the weapon of economic sanctions and said he was proud that Pakistani nation are facing the difficulties courageously.

quot;If Pakistan succumbed to international pressure these sanctions would be lifted immediately but quot;we are determined not to bow before these pressures,quot; Sharif said.

Saying Islamabad can not compromise on its defence, he said, sanctions have helped us to move towards self-reliance and stood on its own feet.

He said Pakistan had no plan to conduct nuclear test despitehaving capability as it did not want weapons of mass destruction in South Asia. However, tests by India on May 11 put Pakistan in a difficult situation and quot;we were forced to conduct testsquot;.

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The Pakistani premier urged the nation to make a solemn pledge to follow the golden principles of unity, faith and discipline of the founder of the nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah in letter and spirit.

According to him Pakistan had a long and arduous journey from freedom struggle to Chagai but future journey is very short and easy and expressed confidence that soon Pakistan would emerge as a prosperous and developed nation.

Nawaz Sharif said his national agenda has the potential to make Pakistan a prosperous country. He said programme 2010 has been launched to cope with the demands of future and besides a 12-year educational policy.