Pakistan faces daring external, internal challenges: Pak Air force chief

KARACHI: Pakistan's Air Force chief today said the country faces "daring challenges" on domestic and international fronts as the regional scenario has changed, but added that the armed forces were ready to respond to "any misadventure" by the enemy.

"Pakistan's battle hardened troops are fully prepared to respond to any misadventure of the enemy. The armed forces have formidable challenges before them as the country is facing daring challenges on the domestic and international fronts which have changed the regional scenario," Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said at a passing out parade ceremony at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi.

He made it clear that the tolerance and patience exhibited by Pakistan should "never be misunderstood by our enemy."

Earlier this week, after visiting International Defence Exhibition and Seminar ( IDEAS) 2016 here, he had said: "Our successes in Zarb-e-Azb operation is a clear manifestation of greater synergy that exists amongst the sister organisations of the armed forces."

Last month, Aman had said Pakistan knows how to handle India and its soldiers are prepared to respond to the Indian aggression. He had also "advised" India to avoid what he called efforts to destabilise peace in the region.

Today, Aman highlighted the importance of the strategic Gwadar port and the $46-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor built with Chinese assistance.

"Gwadar Port has the vital importance in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project," he said.