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| PN’s SEASPARK-2009 concludes |
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Friday, October 30, 2009
Karachi
Pakistan Navy’s (PN) maritime exercise SEASPARK-2009 concluded on Thursday. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, witnessed the exercise onboard PNS Nasr.
Talking to reporters, he described SEASPARK 2009 as an important exercise. “I have closely monitored the exercise and I am very much satisfied”, he remarked.
The naval chief highlighted the significance of the area in which Pakistan is located and added that Pakistan is an important player in the region.
Admiral Bashir pointed out that for the past six years PN was taking part in the anti-terrorism coalition in the region.
“In acknowledge of the role of the PN. We have got the opportunity to command the coalition and even these days the PN is commanding the anti-terrorism coalition task force”.
The naval chief said that the PN was also playing its role towards checking the menace of piracy.
“Pakistan had already had two deployments in this regard and our third ship will also participate in the anti-piracy operation. PN also conducted joint exercises with the naval powers of the area which included Saudi Arabia, Oman and Gulf countries. In January 2010 a major exercise has been planned with Saudi Arabia,” he added.
Replying to a question, he said, “We have sent a proposal to our government regarding a joint maritime security organisation to be set up and this should include maritime organisations dealing on coast, in the sea, ports, shipping, fisheries etc and that all these should be coordinated in a manner so that terrorism could be checked in an effective manner”.
Top another question, the naval chief clarified that he had not given any proposal of any joint organisation with India.
“I was misquoted”, Admiral Bashir said and clarified that in fact he had talked about that coordination of the Pakistani organizations”.
“The security of our coastline and territorial waters is our own responsibility”, he added.
To another question, Admiral Bashir said, “It was our desire that Gwadar Port should be operational as this is quite beneficial for the country as it would get an alternative port adjacent to the Gulf of Oman”.
Replying to another question he said, “Our coastline on south-east is marshy area and is a difficult terrain. We have our deployment in the area. After the Mumbai incident, we further reinforced our deployment and marine deployment in the area,” he maintained.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
