KARACHI, July 7: Pakistan Navy will be upgraded with new frigates, submarines and airborne surveillance systems, says Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

He was talking to reporters after the 85th midshipmen commissioning parade of the Pakistan Naval Academy here on Friday.

The government, he said, was focussing on enhancing the navy’s effectiveness in terms of firepower, defensive and offensive capability.

Expressing satisfaction over the navy’s performance, the prime minister said new frigates were being acquired from China and European countries.

Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan was building submarines with French assistance, adding that the country had acquired technical skills to build submarines and could market it at a later stage.

The prime minister said Pakistan was a peace-loving country and wanted to live in peace.

He was accompanied by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Afzal Tahir.

Earlier, addressing the parade, prime minister said that an efficient, strong and a viable Navy was critical not only to deter war but to protect the country’s maritime sovereignty, adding that it was also vital to project the country’s foreign policy and enhance national prestige.

Highlighting Pakistan’s geo-strategic location, he said: “We have revitalised our role for promotion of multi-sectoral inter- and intra-regional cooperation, which provides the basis for peace and prosperity.”

He said: “We are fast emerging as a junction for multiple corridors of cooperation involving energy, trade, transportation and tourism.”

In the aftermath of 9/11 and 7/7, Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan had become a front-line state against terrorism.

He said: “We are playing a key role in the international war on terror and because of our efforts, significant successes have been achieved in this campaign. We remain committed to eliminating this scourge.”

The prime minister urged the passing out midshipmen to remain abreast of the technological advancement and achieve high standards of professionalism.

He declared that the government would do everything within its available resources to enable “our navy to maintain and sustain the sanctity of our coastline, protect our maritime interests, deliver on our international commitments and to face all present and future challenges”.

The prime minister said: “We will continue to extend our cooperation in training officers of our neighboring countries.”

He said that Pakistan Navy’s participation in the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan had ensured “not only our visible sustained presence in our area of interest as well as providing a safe environment to facilitate maritime economic activity but has also reaffirmed our strong commitment to regional and global security”. He said that entrusting the command of the Coalition Task Force to Pakistan Navy reflected recognition of its capability, capacity and professionalism in pursuing global war on terrorism at sea.— APP