Strong Navy vital to defend maritime interests: PM
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Wednesday said a strong Navy is vital for defending Pakistan’s vast and diverse maritime interests in addition to being important for ensuring country’s economic interests and maintaining peace in the region. He said this while talking to Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir, who called on him here.
Referring to the economic importance of sea routes, Prime Minister Aziz said Pakistan Navy has an important role to play in protecting the sea lanes and routes besides the coastline of the country. Security of the trade routes is necessary for country’s business and trade, he added.
“Peace could only be achieved with strength and therefore, we need to identify various initiatives to ensure a minimum credible deterrence,” he said and added Pakistan has professional air, naval and land forces to defend the territorial integrity of the country.
The meeting reviewed the surface, sub-surface and aerial expansion plans for Pakistan’s Navy’s future development.
For maintaining this deterrence capability, the Prime Minister said country depends on both strategic and conventional initiatives, he said, adding that the government has provided and will continue to provide necessary funds for equipping and modernizing Pakistan Navy. He also discussed with the naval chief the government’s plan to expand the ship building industry by setting up two shipyards one at Karachi and the other at Gwadar to cater to the construction and repair of medium and large vessels.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan has a unique advantage in terms of trained manpower and ideal location which should be leveraged to enter into ship building in a big way through joint venture with reputable international shipyards.
A special policy group has been set up in this connection to identify partners and implement this program at fast pace, he added.
Admiral M. Afzal Tahir apprised the Prime Minister that Pakistan Navy is fully capable to defend country’s territories and stands fully prepared to face the emerging challenges.