National Assembly’s defence committee lauds PN efforts for security

A ten-member delegation of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence, headed by Shaikh Rohale Asghar, undertook a three-day visit to facilities and installations of the Pakistan Navy in Karachi and its coastal areas.

In Karachi, the delegation visited Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Karachi Shipyard, Engineering Works and Headquarters, and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. During the visit, briefings were given to the committee members on the emerging contemporary challenges in the region and on the Pakistan Navy’s role in safeguarding the country’s maritime interests.

The committee was also briefed on the ship and submarine repair capabilities and indigenisation programmes of the Pakistan Navy. Later, the committee members undertook detailed visits of Jinnah Naval Base at Ormara where they were briefed on various developmental projects.

The committee was also briefed on Pakistan Navy’s contributions towards nation building through initiatives for special empowerment of coastal communities residing along the Makran Coastal belt.

During a visit to the Cadet College, Ormara, where 50 of the cadets are from Balochistan and whose education is free, the committee members were apprised about the quality education and training being provided to the cadets.

Similarly, during the visit to a 100-bed hospital, PNS Darmaan Jah, they were briefed about the quality healthcare facilities afforded to the local population in addition to PN personnel.

Later, the committee visited Gwadar Port where it was briefed on the importance of the port for the CPEC project and the effective measures PN had taken for the maritime security of the port and its seaward approaches.

The committee also witnessed the exercises of Pakistan Navy at sea off Gwadar onboard PN Ship Zulfiqar.

On the occasion, the chairman of the committee expressed satisfaction over the operational preparedness of Pakistan Navy for protection of CPEC and Gwadar port projects.

The committee assured its full support to PN for its future developmental plans in order to safeguard maritime interests of Pakistan in the Indian Ocean region.