Pakistan Navy’s special ‘Task Force-88’ (TF-88) was established Tuesday for the maritime security of Gwadar port and protection of associated sea lanes against both conventional and non-traditional threats.
A ceremony for this was held at the Gwadar port which was attended by heads of armed forces and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).
Speaking at the ceremony, CJCSC General Zubair Mehmood Hayat said Pakistan’s economy would prosper from the Gwadar port. He added that Gwadar was the crown of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
TF-88 will work alongside the special security division for the economic corridor and be equipped with drones and other latest weapons.
The Chairman said CPEC and Gwadar Port will usher in new arenas of prosperity in the entire region. He said it will give a major boost to the economy.
He hoped that Pakistan Navy will continue with its endeavours to ensure maritime security of the project. He said CPEC holds promising future for our coming generations.
The creation of the special maritime force has been necessitated by the operationalisation of CPEC), which is expected to lead to a surge in maritime activity at Gwadar — the nodal point for CPEC — and the sea lanes. This has, in turn, increased the maritime susceptibilities there.
TF-88 is to comprise ships, Fast Attack Craft, aircraft, drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), and surveillance assets. Additionally, marines would be deployed at sea and around Gwadar for security operations, according to a senior Navy official.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Hayat, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri attended the conference.