KARACHI, April 17: The nation spends a significant amount of its resources to support armed forces infrastructure and it becomes incumbent upon the forces to take utmost care to ensure safety of men and material while planning and executing operations both at sea and ashore.

This was stated by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah while addressing at the Pakistan Navy's Annual Safety Review 2003 meeting held at Bahria Auditorium on Saturday.

He said that sound training of officers and men with sense of responsibility were essential for safety. "This must get due attention at all levels as it achieves a greater significance in view of planned induction of new surface ships, submarines and aircraft," he added.

Mr Karimullah expressed satisfaction over the overall performance of the navy during the reviewed year and extended felicitations to the winners of safety trophies.

Earlier, Commodore Abbas Raza, Commander Auxiliary Squadron, briefed the naval cheif about the events occurred during the year under review and decisions made by the authorities concerned. -PPI