"Peace has to be achieved through strength and we will maintain it," he told Pakistan Observer newspaper adding, "We are procuring limited number of capability which will maintain our deterrence level."

He was asked about India's acquistion of new weapons through an increased defence budget. "We are going for more F-16s and (J-10) frontline Chinese fighters. Pakistan is also looking at various other options and capabilities. We will never allow Pakistan's defence to be compromised. All three services will be equipped with modern systems be it conventional or strategic," he said.

Pakistan officials, who concluded strategic dialogue with Washington last week, said Pakistan Air Force has asked for a mix of 25 old and new F-16 aircraft instead of 75 due to last year's earthquake and plans to acquire larger number of J-10 jet fighter being manufactured in China as well JF-17 being manufactured by Pakistan in collaboration with China. On the Indo-US civil nuclear deal and the US refusal to extend it to Pakistan, Aziz said Pakistan demanded the same as it would create a level playing field and help promote peace in South Asia.

Aziz said Pakistan has growing energy requirements and it is envisaged that by 2025 it will need 8800 megawatt electricity.

"Pakistan is seeking peaceful nuclear energy from various countries which will be completely under International Atomic Energy Association safeguards," he said adding the Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary are soliciting world support on this issue and talks are on with different countries in this regard.

On the dialogue process with India to resolve Kashmir issue, he said, "Pakistan believed its recent proposals on demilitarisation and self governance can form basis for discussion on conflict resolution process. By this we can agree to a road map to address Kashmir issue so that Kashmiris can find their future - a future which will give them voice."

"Though India has not responded favourably to the proposals, Pakistan is still optimistic about the viability of dialogue process with India," he said adding the composite dialogue is very comprehensive process addressing issues between the two countries. He said Pakistan is committed to the dialogue process but firmly believes that without addressing the core issue of Kashmir two countries cannot make progress in other areas.

"We believe that solution must be accepted by all three stakeholders", he said. On trade relations with India, he said trade and economic cooperation with India mainly depends on resolution of political disputes between the two countries. "Progress on economic cooperation and resolution of Kashmir dispute should move in tandem."

Asked about "Energy Diplomacy," Aziz said, "Pakistan is located at a place where we can tap all energy sources in the region. We have offered India to join Pak-Turkmenistan gas pipeline. We believe inter-dependency would contribute to peace, reduces trust deficit and open more doors for peace."

On the Iranian nuclear crisis, Aziz said Pakistan does not want a new theatre of war in its borders. "It is a very complex issue. Pakistan certainly does not want a new theatre of arms conflict in this region which is already marred by conflicts."

He said Pakistan wanted to see a peaceful solution to the crisis that too through IAEA rather than putting the issue before United Nations Security Council. "Obviously Pakistan's view on Iranian nuclear issue is very clear and consistent. We believe that Iran should not produce nuclear weapons but at the same time Iran has a right to develop nuclear energy under IAEA safeguards.

"We are against the use of force and any military action against Iran," he said. Aziz said Pakistan has also stepped its ties with China by offering an energy corridor to Beijing [Images]. "Our ties with China are close evolving with commonality of interests. We have offered China to acquire energy corridor from Pakistan.

"Various gas pipelines projects can be expanded upto Southern China."