KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that Pakistan Navy is fully committed to protecting the country’s maritime frontiers against all challenges and threats.

The prime minister witnessed different operational exercises conducted at sea from Pakistan Navy ship Nasr on Sunday.

Mr Abbasi expressed his utmost satisfaction on the operational preparedness of the navy. “I feel reassured that Pakistan Navy is fully committed and ready to effectively protecting our maritime frontiers including the Gwadar Port and CPEC projects against all challenges and threats,” he said.

In an impressive display of power at sea, combat units of Pakistan Navy conducted operational demonstration and fleet review in the North Arabian Sea.

Abbasi witnesses operational exercises conducted at sea from PNS Nasr

The prime minister was briefed on the overall conduct of operational demonstration. The exercises included replenishment of men and material from one ship to another, Rocket Depth Charge (RDC) firing by ship and aircraft and helicopter borne visit board search and seizure exercises.

Prime Minister Abbasi was also presented an impressive fly past by various aircraft and helicopters. In the end, all participating ships carried out skim pasts in a column formation and presented the qauminaraa to the dignitary.

After reviewing impressive operational demonstrations by the Pakistan Navy fleet combatants, Mr Abbasi arrived at the Jinnah Naval Base Ormara where he visited the base facilities/installations, including Remote Data Station Mianwali. He expressed satisfaction over the operational preparedness of naval defence facilities and also appreciated the social development initiatives undertaken by the navy along the Makran coastal belt, especially in the health and education sectors, which shall go a long way in socio-economic progress of local populace in Balochistan.

Subsequently, the prime minister set sail on board Pakistan Navy submarine Saad. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi accompanied the premier during his maiden voyage on board the submarine.

Mr Abbasi was briefed on the history of the navy submarine force and achievements made by this elite force during the 1965 and 1971 wars. He was presented with the traditional dolphin insignia, bestowed to submariners following his conducting submarine diving and surfacing procedures.

The prime minister also interacted with officers and men and praised their morale and dedication for defending the maritime frontiers under the challenging environment.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2017