KARACHI, Feb 2: With the ongoing joint exercises of the Pakistani and Saudi navies entering the combat phase, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral M. Afzal Tahir brushed aside his Indian counterpart’s concerns about Gwadar port. He also advised the world not to be overly concerned about the safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear assets.

Admiral Tahir was witnessing the exercises, entitled Naseem Al Bahar in which the marine forces of the two navies are taking part along with their other wings. He was accompanied by Rear Admiral Abdullah Sultan Al-Sultan, the Commander of the Western Fleet of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.

Responding to a journalist’s question regarding his Indian counterpart’s statement on the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, with particular reference to Gwadar port, Admiral Tahir said: “It is purely a commercial venture and being a sovereign country we have all the right to take measures for the economic progress and development of the people of Pakistan.”

He said that if any country had apprehensions about the project, Pakistan was ready to allay its fears.

Answering another question, Admiral Tahir said Pakistan was fully capable of safeguarding its nuclear assets and there was little danger of their falling into the hands of extremists.

He said the ongoing exercises were a manifestation of the close relations between the navies of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The exercises would help the two countries maintain peace, stability and security in the region, as it was a “lifeline for international trade and economy”.

Admiral Tahir said Pakistan Navy took pride in promoting mutual cooperation and harmony through joint efforts and had undertaken exercises with several other countries as well.

Many units of Pakistan Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces, including destroyers, submarines, missile boats and mine hunters, are participating in the exercises which comprise both sea and land phases. The exercises are being supervised by Vice Admiral Noman Bashir, the Commander of the Pakistan Fleet.

Admiral Tahir reached the Bandal Island, off Karachi, where he was received by Vice Admiral Mahmood Ahmad Khan. He witnessed a live demonstration involving defence of the beach by the personnel of the two navies.

On the occasion, the commander of Pakistan0 Marines gave a briefing to the media personnel on the land phase of the exercises.