GWADAR: Two maritime patrol vessels built in China for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) have arrived at Gwadar Port on Saturday.
After arriving at the Gawadar sea port, the Chinese officials dispensed the ships over to their Pakistani counterparts at a ceremony at Gwadar Port, Radio Pakistan reported. Pakistan Navy Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini, received the ships which have been named after rivers Hingol and Basole.
The induction of these ships will further strengthen the PMSA against all crimes including terrorism.
The Chinese government will be providing two more ships to Pakistan Navy, named named Dasht and Zhob . Work on the ships is underway in China and is expected to be completed soon.
China and Pakistan are currently building nearly 3,000-km-long economic corridor linking Pakistan’s Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea with Xinjiang to improve connectivity between the two countries. The move would open up a new and cheaper cargo route for transporting oil to China as well as the export of Chinese goods to the Middle East and Africa.
A Pakistan Navy official said the role of maritime forces has increased since the country has made the Gwadar port operational and speeded up economic activities under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan Navy’s Marines, PMSA vessels and personnel are presently engaged in guarding all sea port as well as escorting and providing complete protection to critical LNG supplies at Port Qasim.
The unprecedented increase in maritime activity and contemporary threats in maritime areas warrant further enhancement in a capability of Pakistan Navy and PMSA not only to counter threats against traditional challenges but also asymmetric threats particularly those being sponsored and perpetrated by Pakistan’s traditional enemies, defence experts said.