KARACHI, June 9: The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Shahid Karimullah, has said that the Pakistan Navy has a clear and well-defined role of defending the nation’s sovereignty on its maritime front.

He said this while addressing the student-officers, participating in the Air War College course at the Sharae Faisal Base, on Monday.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, also addressed the participants.

“The present-day regional maritime scenario and the aggressive designs of our adversary warrant ever increasing vigilance of our sea frontiers, which demands a strong maritime strategy and naval presence in the regional waters”, the naval chief said.

While commenting on the self-reliance policy of the navy, he said that many countries had shown interest in the indigenous construction programmes.

He said that any deal in this regard would not only boost Pakistan’s image and credibility in the international market but also help in earning sizable foreign exchange.

Later, in his address, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat said that consequent to the events of Sep 11 and Dec 13, 2001, India mobilized its forces on our eastern borders to take advantage of the war on terrorism and to force Pakistan to give up its support to Kashmir’s freedom struggle.

“After the 1971 war, this was the largest mobilization that was done by Pakistan Air Force. It gives us confidence that our plans and logistic support plans were workable. Our timely response and state of preparedness dissuaded the Indian leadership from indulging in any mischief”, he further commented.

The air force chief added that the government and other services were cognizant of the needs of the PAF, in a changing international environment.

With the lifting of the US sanctions, other countries had started taking interest in Pakistan’s defence requirements, he said.

The Air War College course is attended by senior officers of Pakistan Air Force, Army and Navy.—PPI