QUETTA, Nov 17: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza has emphasized the need for attaining higher level of professionalism and dedicating oneself to the sacred mission of the country’s defence.

“The strength of faith and commitment to cause are virtues of a soldier,” Mirza said while speaking to students, officers and the faculty at Command and Staff College here on Tuesday.

The Naval chief dilated upon geo-political environment, threat perception and the measures adopted by the Pakistan Navy to safeguard maritime interests of the country.

Responding to a question, he said that indigenization, promotion of defence experts and organizational restructuring will go a long way in strengthening the Pakistan Navy.

“We are building very sophisticated submarines and shall start construction of frigates in the not too distant future,” he maintained.

On the potential of indigenous defence production, Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza stated that the defence exhibition — IDEAS-2000 — was testimony to the fact that Pakistan was full of potential in this field.

Speaking about the Indian militarization, the Naval Staff said the Indian Navy’s budget had increased 6,900 times since 1971.