KARACHI: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday emphasised the importance of the vision to meet the country’s maritime challenges and the common goals of peace and stability.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC) held at Expo Center, he said that the establishment of international partnership in the maritime domain was inevitable for Pakistan in terms of national security and economic independence.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Maritime Affairs Minister Syed Faisal Subzwari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and a large number of civil and military officials, foreign dignitaries and others were also present.

“In order to promote blue economy and curb the threats posed by terrorism, piracy, drug trafficking, human trafficking and arms; international partnership is essential to maintain the security of maritime communication lines,” he said.

Multinational maritime exercise Aman-23 begins

“Some 95 per cent of our trade is carried out by sea...the geo-economic vision of Pakistan has been created keeping in mind the country’s ideal location to act as a hub for trade and energy links and relations between Asia, Europe and Africa,” he said.

The foreign minister, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, said that the country had been playing an active role in the Combined Task Force 151 against terrorism, piracy and other illegal activities while the Pakistan Navy also had the honour of commanding the said multinational task force on several occasions.

He said that Pakistan, as a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is committed to upholding the rights and responsibilities of States in relation to the governance of the seas, their resources, navigation, rights and freedoms.

“The current global security environment is full of enormous challenges and there is a need to avoid such geopolitical constructions which are not compatible with the local historical, cultural or geographical realities in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean,” said Mr Bhutto-Zardari.

“The humanity today cannot afford a divisive approach to the common challenges we all face,” he said, adding that the challenges of environmental pollution, climate change, global warming and sea level rise had increased.

In his message, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi highlighted that the navy being the major stakeholder in shaping the maritime thought in the country was proactively playing its role in creating the requisite maritime awareness for exploitation of untapped potential of blue economy.

He underscored that the exhibition would bring together international and national stakeholders, creating a marketplace for presenting innovative ideas while showcasing maritime potential and opportunities in this dynamic field.

“PIMEC is a platform to reaffirm our commitment and resolve towards preserving and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources, exploiting natural resources and to spur growth for collective and shared prosperity,” he said.

Around 133 exhibitors, including foreign and local firms, are participating in the event, which will continue till Sunday (tomorrow).

Flag hoisting

Earlier, a remarkable and vibrant flags hoisting ceremony was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard here on Friday to formally commence the proceedings of the 8th Multinational Maritime Exercise Aman-23.

A large number of senior military representatives from participating countries including observers, diplomats and PN officials attended the ceremony.

The opening of the exercise was marked with simultaneous hoisting of flags of all the participating nations.

In his message read out during the ceremony, the naval chief while welcoming the participants underscored that the Aman exercise was a regular feature that involved regional and extra-regional navies to create a secure and favourable maritime environment for smooth and unhindered maritime activities.

He stated that the navy had been a forerunner in its quest for promoting collaborative maritime security in the region besides generating the camaraderie as highlighted under the motto of the Exercise ‘Together for Peace’.

He emphasised that this bond would continue to grow and bring all the participating countries even closer to the cherished goals of realising regional peace and shared prosperity.

Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami warmly welcomed all the participants and thanked them for their wholehearted participation in the Exercise.

He sought their cooperation in achieving the exercise objectives and hoped that it would prove mutually rewarding for all.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2023