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First JF-17 Thunder handed over to PAF: Self-reliance in defence vital for progress: PM

* Gilani assures full support, patronage to air force in its projects * Appreciates PAF’s role against terrorists

ISLAMABAD: Progress and prosperity cannot be achieved without achieving self-reliance in defence production, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Monday.

Gilani was addressing a gathering of local and foreign dignitaries and military officials at the handing-over ceremony of the JF-17 Thunder, manufactured with Chinese assistance, to the PAF.

Pakistan on Monday formally joined the international community of fighter aircraft manufacturers as JF-17 Thunder, the first-ever multi-role state of the art, rolled out of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra and was included to the fleet of the PAF.

The prime minister said manufacturing of the aircraft was “an achievement of an important milestone” in the government’s ongoing efforts to attain self-reliance.

Support: He assured full cooperation, support and patronage to the PAF in its projects, adding that the national project would be remembered as a landmark in the country’s history.

Referring to the challenges being faced by the country, the prime minister said the “rapidly-changing, technology-intensive battle arena required intense involvement of air power which had emerged as a major player in conflict scenarios”.

He said the role of the air force became vital in tackling the threat posed by terrorism, adding that under the circumstances a modern air force was a national requirement.

He said the government was making sincere efforts for a strong and well-equipped PAF.

He said the PAF had repeatedly measured up to the expectations of the nation in safeguarding the soil and skies of the country.

In operations against terrorists in Swat and South Waziristan, the PAF was endeavouring to root out terrorism from the country along with the Pakistan Army, he added.

The prime minister said, “The PAF has been able to achieve, both in the form of meeting its operational requirement by co-developing a fighter aircraft and developing Pakistan’s aviation industry.”

He said the JF-17 programme had provided employment to more than 5,000 people. Prime Minister Gilani also reiterated the government’s resolve to eradicate ignorance and illiteracy from the country so that Pakistan could achieve a respectable place in the comity of nations.

Referring to long and trusted ties between Pakistan and China, the prime minister said, “It is not trade or economics that we collaborate and cooperate for, but our association and fraternal ties bind us in the everlasting embrace of friendship.”

“China has always stood by us in our hour of need - its unflinching support and willingness, to go an extra-mile for Pakistan, has been a source of great strength for the people of Pakistan,” he said.

Prime Minister Gilani thanked China for providing the required technical assistance to PAF.

Senate Chairman Farooq Naik, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan were also present. app

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