KARACHI: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah on Saturday said that Pakistan Navy is fully capable of dealing with all kinds of challenges.
He was addressing the inaugural session of 7th International Maritime Conference. He also said that strategic changes continue to occur in the region which increases the need of maritime security.
The chief of naval staff said that Pakistan Navy is cooperating with navies of other countries for the protection of the territorial waters as no country is capable of doing it on their own. He expressed his optimism that the conference will prove to be effective.
Zakaullah also said, “The eyes of the world are set on the security of the sea routes for promotion of trade as there are several dangers in the seas which includes drug smuggling.”
He added, “The country’s economy can be improved by making the sea routes secure.”
He also said that a special force has been created for the security of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port to ensure that it has a positive impact on the country’s economy and the country develops.
Addressing the opening session of the conference, Azad Kashmir President Masood Khan said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has furthered the need for augmenting maritime security. He said all naval forces across the world have a pivotal role in maritime security.
Addressing the conference the adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that nuclearisation and militarization of the Indian Ocean poses a grave threat to the regional peace and security.
He was addressing the opening session of the seventh international maritime conference in Karachi today.
Highlighting the significance of the Indian Ocean, Sartaj Aziz said that the Indian Ocean provides connectivity to the Middle East, Africa and Australia with Europe.
The adviser said Pakistan has strategic stakes in peaceful navigation of cargoes in the Indian Ocean because of Gwadar Port and CPEC. He said the government is taking all the requisite steps to ensure maritime security in the ocean.
The adviser emphasized the need for turning the Indian Ocean into a zone of peace and prosperity to benefit the whole region. He warned that any rivalry in the ocean would only impede the process of development. He said all the regional countries have an important role to develop common bonds for sustainable development.
