Premier backs PAF upgradation
By Fakhar Alam

ISLAMABAD—Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro on Monday said the government would continue extending necessary support and resources to upgrade Pakistan Air Force to meet the country’s future defence needs. The Prime Minister was talking to Chief of the Air Staff Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed who called on him at PM Secretariat here.
Soomro said the government was focusing on improving indigenous capabilities and also undertaking joint ventures with other countries to ensure latest equipment for PAF to augment its capabilities. He emphasized that Pakistan is a peace loving country which believes in peaceful co-existence with all its neighbours.
Pakistan’s defence doctrine, he added, is based on maintaining minimum credible deterrence so as to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity which will facilitate maintenance of peace and stability in the region.
The Prime Minister said PAF was one of the best fighting forces in the world substantially equipped to defend its national air space. He said that PAF always played a constructive role in the defence of the country, in addition to rendering support to civil administration in relief and rehabilitation efforts during natural calamities.
The Chief of Air Staff apprised the Prime Minister of the ongoing up-graduation and modernization programme of Air Force. He also updated him on the initiatives being taken to enhance the indigenous capabilities of the PAF.