Pakistan advocates peaceful co-existence -- president

ISLAMABAD, March 23 (KUNA) -- Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence but its desire for peace should not be misconstrued as weakness, President Dr. Arif Alvi said on Saturday.
He said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state but it wants peace, not war, adding that Pakistan respects integrity and sovereignty of other states.
President Alvi was addressing Pakistan Day parade in federal capital Islamabad.
He said "we are a peaceful nation, but are not oblivious to our defense, and the same has been proved in the recent demonstration of Pakistan's defense capability." The Pakistani leader was apparently alluding to recent cross border incidents with neighboring India, where Pakistani Air Force jet fighters shot down two Indian warplanes and captured at least one airman.
President Alvi said participation of the representatives of Pakistan's friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Sri Lanka has added valor to today's military parade, and this signifies Pakistan's friendship with these countries.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was the guest of honor of the parade. Pakistanآ’s civil and military leadership including Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa participated in the ceremony. (end) sbk.rk