Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Sunday (August 5) Pakistan's Army is capable to defend its territory and can take action against the extremist and terrorist elements, state-run APP news agency reported.

The prime minister vowed that it will not allow troops from any country to attack its territory in a bid to capture terrorists.

"We will never allow any country to violate our sovereignty and integrity," said Aziz in an interview with Al-Arabia TV channel, according to Associated Press of Pakistan.

Aziz said Pakistan was cooperating with the world in fighting terrorism and believed in strong coordination among the countries.

"We believe in intelligence-sharing, cooperation and coordination with friendly countries that are committed to fighting this scourge," he stated.

The prime minister said Pakistan wants peace, security and economic growth which will lead to its stability and extending cooperation to all the countries in the region and in the world in this regard.

Referring to the statements of U.S. Presidential candidates about attacking Pakistan, Aziz said Pakistan is a sovereign country, and Pakistan's Army is very capable to defend it self.

"If we will share credible, quantifiable and identifiable intelligence then Pakistan will act, we have the capacity and capability to act," he said.

The prime minister said Pakistan reacted to these statements strongly.

"We will do whatever it takes to prevent terrorism. But we cannot and will not accept the presence of any foreign troops in Pakistan," Aziz said.

On the meeting between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and main opposition Pakistan People's Party Leader Benazir Bhutto, the prime minister said there were "no specific deals, but only discussions."

Aziz said discussions in the political set up are healthy for free, fair and transparent elections and to further strengthen the democratic process in the country.

The prime minister said ruling party Pakistan Muslim League and its allied parties would contest the next general election from a single platform, adding that Pakistan People's Party, a major opposition party, was not the member of this coalition.

"We are not going into any election alliance, with any other party except with the parties which are in our coalition," he said.

Aziz said Pakistan has been extending cooperation to Afghanistan for its stability adding if Afghanistan destabilizes, Pakistan pays price for that because there are interactions on both sides of the borders including trade linkages.

He said being in close proximity with Afghanistan, where foreign troops and locals are fighting, Pakistan not only supported three million Afghan refugees, but was also fighting the elements who found safe haven inside Pakistan in these refugee camps. He said Pakistan arrested more extremists and terrorist than any other country.

Editor: Wing