Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi visited Naval units and installations on Makran Coast including Gwadar, Turbat and Jinnah Naval Base at Ormara to witness the operational readiness of the troops during the ongoing major Maritime Exercise Seaspark 2018 on Friday.
Upon arrival at Western Naval Command Headquarters at Gwadar which is entrusted with defense and security of Gwadar Port, a lynchpin of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), through effective employment of Task Force-88, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was received by Commander Coast Rear Admiral Muazzam llyas and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Operations Rear Admiral Faisal Rasool 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, chief of naval staff witnessed live weapon firing of ground based surface to air missiles, wherein, firing of three different types of air defence missiles was demonstrated.
Zafar Mahmood Abbasi also visited the Business Centre Gwadar Free Zone. While interacting with Chinese officials, the admiral expressed Pakistan Navy’s resolve to ensure 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 which are extensions of CPEC.
Later during the day, the chief of the naval staff visited Turbat and Jinnah Naval Base, Ormara. Upon arrival, the chief was received by Pakistan Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi. During the visit, the naval chief was given a detailed overview/briefings on the ongoing operational activities at Coastal Stations of Turbat and Ormara.
The naval chief also interacted with the troops at various stations and expressed his satisfaction over the professional excellence and high morale of the troops. The chief of naval staff reiterated that any misadventure by the enemy shall be thwarted with an iron fist.
Published in Daily Times, October 27th 2018.