ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi on Friday visited naval units and installations along the Makran coast to witness operational readiness of the troops during the ongoing Maritime Exer­cise SEAS­PARK 2018.

Upon arrival at the headquarters of COMWEST in Gwadar, the naval chief was received by Coast Comm­ander Rear Admiral Moaz­zam llyas and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Oper­ations) Rear Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi, said a press release issued by the navy’s Dire­ctorate of Public Relations.

A comprehensive presentation was made on the occasion on operational deployment of assets along the country’s west coast to maintain coastal security and harbour defence and ground-based air defence of the designated areas. The naval chief witnessed live firing of ground-based surface-to-air missiles of three different types.

He also visited the business centre in Gwadar Free Zone. While interacting with Chinese officials, the naval chief expressed Pakistan Navy’s resolve to ensure protection of Gwadar Port against all asymmetric threats and said that Gwadar was vital to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Later, Admiral Abbasi visited Turbat and the Jinnah Naval Base in Ormara. Upon his arrival there, he was received by Pakistan Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi. During the visit, the naval chief was given detailed briefings on the ongoing operational activities at the coastal stations of Turbat and Ormara.

He also interacted with the troops at various stations and expressed his satisfaction over their professional excellence and high morale in ensuring impregnable def­ence of the motherland. The naval chief reaffirmed the resolve of navy to ensure seaward defence of Pakistan and safeguard national maritime interests at all cost. He reiterated that any misadventure by the enemy would be thwa­rted with an iron fist.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2018

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