Admiral Abbasi visits naval installations at coastal areas

• Naval chief reviews coastal areas, port security measures

QUETTA/ISLAMABAD: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi on Friday visited naval installations at coastal areas including Turbat, Gwadar and Ormara to review the operational readiness of the Pakistan Navy units in the areas and port security measures.

Upon arrival at the Naval Air Station in Turbat, the naval chief was received by Pakistan Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Niazi. The naval chief was given a detailed briefing on operations of PNS SIDDIQ, operational preparedness, prevailing security situation, ongoing developmental plans for socio-economic uplift of local populace and measures taken for nation-building.

The naval chief expressed satisfaction over the operational preparedness of the Pakistan Navy and envisioned that PNS SIDDIQ Naval Air Base as a significant milestone towards enhancing operational capability, would lead to commercial flying activities, which would act as a catalyst for economic development in Balochistan.

Admiral Abbasi also highlighted that other civic facilities including PN Model School Turbat would enable local populace, access to quality services at their doorstep and set off a new era of prosperity in the region in consonance with the navy’s resolve of the nation-building efforts.

MARITIME FRONTIERS: During the day, the naval chief visited the navy units at Gwadar and Ormara and was briefed on various ongoing and future projects and plans as well as operational activities and security aspects of the Gwadar Port particularly with respect to the maritime components of the CPEC project.

Making an overall appraisal of the prevalent security environment, Admiral Abbasi expressed satisfaction over the operational preparedness of the navy in the presence of prevalent maritime challenges. Expressing navy’s resolve to ensure the seaward defence of vital maritime infrastructure and protection of the maritime interests against all threats, he reiterated that the navy would safeguard maritime frontiers of Pakistan at all costs.

He also interacted with officers and men deployed at Turbat, Gwadar and Ormara and applauded their commitment and dedication in safeguarding the maritime frontiers. He urged them to nurture and align their character with the golden principles of Islam and make Islamic teachings as guiding lights of their lives, in tandem with the strenuous pursuit of professional excellence.