January 31, 2006	Tuesday	Muharram 1, 1427

KARACHI, Jan 30: The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Ehsanul Haq, on Monday visited the Pakistan Navy dockyard where he was briefed on the working and operational preparedness of the naval assets and the indigenous submarine construction programme of the Pakistan Navy.

This was stated in a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

It said that upon his arrival in the dockyard, Gen Ehsanul Haq was received by Commander Logistics Rear Admiral Nayyar Iqbal.

The chairman was given a detailed presentation on the Agosta submarine construction and the capabilities of PN dockyard to undertake various construction and development projects.

In his remarks on this occasion, the chairman said that in the current regional environment, the PN would have to play a greater role in national defence.

He said the government was fully cognizant of the navy’s requirements and adequate resources were being allocated to enhance its surface, sub-surface and air capabilities.

Later, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee visited the submarine construction site and witnessed the ongoing construction work of the third Agosta-class submarine being built with indigenous resources.

He appreciated the professionalism and technical skills of dockyard engineers and technicians and expressed his satisfaction on the progress of this mega project.

He said he hoped that the project would continue to play a significant role in fulfilling defence requirements of Pakistan Navy and add to its offensive punch.

— APP