Islamabad, Mar 29: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani has said that Pakistan was a peaceful country, but it would maintain a minimum credible deterrence to ensure peace and stability in South Asia.

He reportedly told this to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at a meeting with him.

“Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and its defence policy is based on peaceful coexistence,” the Daily Times quoted the PM as saying.

Kayani told Gillani that the country’s defence had been made “impregnable” through the provision of modern training and equipment to the armed forces.

At a separate meeting with Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, the chief of naval staff, Gillani said the Pakistan Navy had an important role to play in protecting the sea-lanes and routes along the coastline. (ANI)