LAHORE: President Arif Alvi on Thursday launched the first maritime doctrine of Pakistan at the Naval War College, and commended the Pakistan Navy for spearheading various initiatives to tap sea resources for the country’s economic prosperity.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi and senior civil and military dignitaries were present at the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, President Alvi expressed the hope that the doctrine would be a trendsetter and would lay the foundation for the promotion of the maritime sector for present and coming generations.

“Certainly, MDP will act as a stimulus in sensitising the public at large, shaping opinions and becoming instrumental in providing a sense of direction to the national maritime sector of Pakistan,” he said.

The document is an effort towards a greater understanding and awareness on matters related to the ocean and undertaking of multiple peace and wartime roles by the Pakistan Navy.

Emphasising the significance of ‘blue economy’, the president said that scarcity of resources had forced nations to turn their gaze from land to sea. For Pakistan’s economic prosperity, he said, focus towards the maritime sector and its development was not a matter of choice, rather a compulsion.

“It is time that we must develop credible solutions to the issues we face in the development of the maritime sector,” he said.

According to APP, President Alvi said that importance of maritime security had increased after the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project under the One Belt One Road programme, which required security of Gwadar for future trade.

He said the Pakistan Navy was fully capable of defending maritime frontiers and national maritime interests of the motherland.

Mr Alvi urged the nation to adopt golden principles of the Quaid-i-Azam — faith, unity and discipline — as a guiding light in day-to-day matters and to achieve life goals.

PN War College Comma­n­­dant Rear Admiral Naveed Ahmed Rizvi in his address highlighted significance of Maritime Security Workshop and said the initiative provided a forum for a better understanding of maritime affairs and associated matters by the legislative body, bureaucracy, academia and private sector of the country.

Later, President Alvi laid a wreath at Yadgar-i-Shuhada at the Pakistan Navy War College.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2018