KARACHI Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan is a peace-loving country and does not follow any expansionist designs stressing that it must maintain minimum deterrence to have peace and stability in the region. Pakistans strategic as well as conventional capabilities are focused on legitimate defence needs and promotion of peace, declared the Prime Minister while speaking at the induction ceremony of PNS Shamsheer at the PN Dockyard here on Monday. The vessel is a multi-mission frigate and is second of four ships to be acquired under F-22 P Frigate programme. Gilani said it was a matter of satisfaction for the nation that a Frigate PNS Shamsheer was joining the Pakistan Navy fleet. He congratulated all those who are involved in the Frigate programme. He also appreciated the focus and hard work of the Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan Navy and Chinese partners for a successful programme, which resulted in timely completion of the second ship. He said it was another manifestation of Pakistan-China friendship which was rightly regarded as a model relationship based on mutual respect, trust and complete confidence. 'We are proud of our ties with China that are time-tested and all weather relationship which is higher than mountains and deeper than oceans, he said, adding, that 'our friendship and strategic partnership with China has been and will remain the cornerstone of our foreign policy. These ties, he said, were based on the principles of non-interference in each others internal affairs and not directed against any other country. The Prime Minister said that the long-standing defence cooperation between Pakistan and China is growing from strength to strength to the mutual benefit of both the countries. On the occasion, the PM also extended his profound gratitude to the government and people of China and congratulated them for reaching yet another hallmark of friendship with the induction of PNS Shamsheer in the fleet of Pakistan Navy. Pakistan, he said, is located on the crossroads of major civilisations and trade routes. Its geo-strategic and geo-economic position in the present times demand enhanced efforts with regard to regional and global security, he added. 'We are therefore engaged and are contributing more than our fair share to fight the forces that aim to destabilise and destroy the international peace, Gilani remarked. He appreciated the Pakistan Navy which was not only guarding 'our part of the Arabian Sea but even beyond upto the coast of Africa through vital shipping that is jugular vein of global economy. The Prime Minister said that the government also recognised and admires Pakistan Navys efforts with regard to countering threats of terrorism and piracy, the two phenomenal undertakings especially considering the limited number of assets that it possesses. He said that the government was aware of Pakistan Navys needs to fulfil its national and international obligations. Gilani said Pakistan does not have any hegemonistic designs in the region. Moreover, we do not want to engage in an arms race with any country, he added. He said our strategic as well as conventional capabilities are focused towards legitimate defence needs and promotion of peace. To this end we will equip our armed forces accordingly regardless of economic hardships, he stressed. The Prime Minister was confident that the men in uniform had the will and skills to utilise the resources provided for defence of the motherland as well as fulfil international commitments for stability and security. He also emphasised the indigenous capability of the defence production sector and said this was particularly important for a resource- starved country like Pakistan as it had to maintain a fair balance between the security needs and requirements of economic growth. Thus in-country defence production is a logical solution to ensure best utilisation of available resources, he added. Gilani said he was happy to learn that the frigate programme had also an embedded indigenisation aspect which would be fulfilled by the construction of a fourth Frigate at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW). 'As construction of this ship in Pakistan involves upgradation of Karachi Shipyard, this would result in reviving the shipbuilding industry that will eventually result in its revival and will eventually contribute towards the overall economic growth of Pakistan, he added. In this regard, he said, he was again thankful to the Chinese friends who provided necessary expertise as well as technology transfer to materialise the programme. The Prime Minister was sure that this would go a long way and the two countries in future would cooperate and mutually develop programmes of shipbuilding in defence as will as in commercial sectors. On the occasion, the Prime Minister announced a grant of Rs 50 million for the welfare of Pakistan Navy Fleet troops. Earlier, on arrival at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani reviewed the guard of honour. He was also given a 21-gun salute. As part of the induction ceremony of the frigate, the Prime Minister also handed over the scroll to the Commander of Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Tanveer Faiz. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, presented the welcome address. The induction ceremony of the PNS Shamsheer was also attended by Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.