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Flag-hoisting ceremony of AMAN 19: Collaborative efforts must for preserving maritime order, says naval chief

he message of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was also read out. In his message, the naval chief warmly welcomed the participation of Exercise AMAN-19, the sixth episode of the AMAN initiative.

By Monitoring Desk
February 09, 2019

ISLAMABAD: The Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN 19 formally commenced at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard on Friday, with a colorful flag hoisting ceremony.

Ships of the participating navies, observers, foreign diplomats and a large number of Pakistan Navy personnel attended the event, says a press release. Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest whereas Chief of Romanian Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Alexandru Mirsu and Commander Zimbabwe National Army, Lt Gen Edzai Absolom Chanyuka Chimonyo attended the ceremony as guests of honour.

During the ceremony, the message of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was also read out. In his message, the naval chief warmly welcomed the participation of Exercise AMAN-19, the sixth episode of the AMAN initiative.

Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said today, threats to maritime security increasingly emanate from contemporary asymmetric challenges that have deeply impacted the maritime environment.

There is strong realization that given the vast expanse of oceans and an array of maritime threats, preserving maritime order in the global commons, necessitates collaborative efforts as a matter of compulsion rather than choice.

“I look forward to a successful and rewarding exercise and thank all the participants who have travelled great distances to be our worthy guests and invaluable partners, in pursuit of peace” the Naval Chief stated in his message.

Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi warmly welcomed the august participating nations for a common resolve “Together for Peace”. The admiral emphasized that we can work together, keeping our differences aside, to defeat our common adversaries. These adversaries pose threats like piracy, terrorism, drug-trafficking, gun-running and human smuggling; and greater adversary is the climate change which calls for a growing need to respond to it collectively.

Commander Pakistan Fleet added that despite having a turbulent phase of its contemporary history, Pakistan remained steadfast in fighting the forces of terror and tyranny. Pakistan continues to be a responsible state, cognizant of its role and significance in the international system.

Vice Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi highlighted that Pakistan has been a proactive member of maritime security initiatives launched as part of the war against terror. Pakistan Navy has always been a consistent Security contributor in Indian Ocean Region. Task Force 88 and Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) have been institutionalized to ensure maritime security of Gwadar and adjacent sea lanes and maintain robust security posture in critical sea areas and choke points in Indian Ocean for protection of national and international shipping.

A flag hoisting ceremony of participating Special Operations Forces was also held separately at Pakistan Navy Unit PNS IQBAL, which was graced by Commander Coast, Vice Admiral Muhammad Fayyaz Gilani as Chief Guest.

In tandem with various activities on the 1st day of Exercise AMAN 2019, Deputy Chief of Cambodian Navy, Vice Admiral Sam Sokhaand Chief of Staff Sri Lankan Navy, Rear Admiral JJ Ranasinghe called on Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Kaleem Shaukat in separate meetings.

During the meetings matters of mutual interests and maritime security dynamics came under discussion. Highlighting the role of Pakistan Navy in maritime security efforts, the vice chief of naval staff expressed that Pakistan Navy had remained an active contributor to multinational coalition efforts and conduct of AMAN series of Exercise is a quantum leap in this direction.

Later during the day, Commander Zimbabwe National Army, Lt Gen Edzai Absolom Chanyuka Chimonyo called on Commander Coast and Commander Karachi. Besides, senior officers of participating countries including observers and commanding officers of foreign ships also called on Commander Pakistan Fleet and Commander Logistics.

Chief of Romanian Naval Forces Vice Admiral Alexandru Mirsu laid a floral wreath at the Mazar-e-Quaid. AMAN-19 is a multinational naval exercise conducted biennially by Pakistan Navy since 2007.