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As the border stand-off continues, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday declared that his country will 'teach a lesson' to India if it tried any 'misadventure', asserting his armed forces were 'fully prepared' to meet any eventuality.
"India has massed its troops along the Line of Control and the international border. Their ways are aggressive. They should not have any misgivings. We will give a befitting reply if anyone challenged the country," Musharraf said in an address to the nation on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
Stating forcefully that Pakistan is a strong country and is ready to fight back, Musharraf said, "Anyone trying to challenge it will be taught a lesson that will be remembered. Our forces are capable of handling any situation."
Musharraf, who is the Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan's armed forces, said that the customary military parade on this day could not take place as the troops were stationed along the borders.
Maintaining that Pakistan wanted peace in the region, he said that Islamabad was ready to have talks with New Delhi to discuss Kashmir and all other outstanding issues.
On terrorism, he said that Pakistan would use all possible means to get rid of the menace and emphasised the need to strengthen intelligence gathering and adoption of modern investigative techniques.
"The intelligence agencies should provide information before an incident and not after it so that timely action can be taken," he said.
Speaking in chaste Urdu, Musharraf pledged to bring back a democratic set up in Pakistan after the October general elections promised by him.
Musharraf had announced holding of elections, when he ousted Nawaz Sharif in a coup on October 12, 1999.
The Pakistan President, who has been under pressure from the Commonwealth on the question of restoration of democracy, said, "Elections would be a major step towards establishment of a democratic regime."
Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth Councils at the 1999 Durban Summit.
In a bid to scotch reports of growing antagonism against the military rule, Musharraf said, "We are all united and our hopes are very high."
He also said the nation was grateful for the sacrifices made by the armed forces in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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