KARACHI: With a view to witnessing the operational readiness of the troops during ongoing major maritime exercise SEASPARK 2018, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi visited naval units and installations on Makran Coast, including Gwadar, Turbat and Jinnah Naval Base at Ormara.
Upon his arrival at HQ COMWEST at Gwadar which is entrusted with defence and security of Gwadar Port, a lynchpin of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), through effective employment of Task Force-88, the naval chief was received by Commander Coast Rear Admiral Moazzam llyas and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations) Rear Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi. A comprehensive brief was presented on operational deployment of assets along the west coast to maintain coastal security and harbour defence and ground-based air defence of designated areas. Subsequently, the naval chief witnessed live weapon firing of ground-based surface-to-air missiles, wherein, firing of three different types of air defence missiles was demonstrated.
The naval chief also visited Gwadar Free Zone’s Business Centre. While interacting with Chinese officials, he expressed Pakistan Navy’s resolve to ensure the protection of Gwadar Port against all asymmetric threats and said that Gwadar is cardinal to CPEC and sea lanes/ routes connecting Gwadar with international markets are an extension of CPEC.
Later during the day, the naval chief visited Turbat and Jinnah Naval Base Ormara. Upon his arrival, he was received by Pakistan Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi. During the visit, the naval chief was given detailed overview/ briefings on the ongoing operational activities at Coastal Stations Turbat and Ormara.
The naval chief also interacted with the troops at various stations and expressed his satisfaction on the professional excellence and high morale of the troops in ensuring the impregnable defence of the motherland and reaffirmed the resolve of Pakistan Navy to ensure the seaward defence of Pakistan and safeguard national maritime interests at all costs. The naval chief also reiterated that any misadventure by the enemy shall be thwarted with an iron fist.