Pakistan's defence production intended to ensure peace: Gen Qamar

Army chief attends handing over ceremony of Tank Al Khalid-I at Heavy Industries Taxila

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has reiterated that Pakistan’s defence production is only intended to ensure peace as he visited Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) in its namesake city near Rawalpindi.

“The COAS [chief of army staff] was chief guest at the handing over ceremony of Tank Al Khalid-I to Armoured Corps Regiment,” a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday. "It was built under joint venture with China and Ukraine."

During the ceremony Tank Al Khalid-I displayed some of its outstanding capabilities including mobility, speed, Bi-axis gun stabilisation of the control system and use of smoke screen to mask movement, the military’s media wing said.

#COAS visited Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) today. COAS was chief guest at the handing over ceremony of Tank Al Khalid-1 to Armoured Corps Regiment. Tank Al Khalid-1 is joint venture with friendly countries China and Ukraine. During the ceremony Tank Al Khalid-1 displayed (1/5) pic.twitter.com/3mbqQ5qwxF

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) July 28, 2020

According to the ISPR, the tank will be handed over to formations with critical and decisive role during war. “Major General Syed Aamer Raza, the chairman HIT, highlighted the ongoing projects, achievements of HIT and its contribution in the defence industry by pursuing self-reliance.”

General Qamar expressed his confidence, satisfaction and appreciation for HIT’s state-of-the art products and capabilities.

He also lauded the efforts of HIT towards attainment of self-reliance and manufacturing of world class indigenous defence products, direly needed in evolving security environment, the statement added.

Reiterating the need for bolstering defence and operational preparedness, the army chief said: “Our defence preparation and operational readiness are to ensure peace within and peace without.”

“However, if provoked we shall respond and respond with all our might,” the COAS was quoted as saying.