Pakistan Navy in the Arabian Sea

By V/Adm (Rtd) Irfan Ahmed

Arabian Sea is today one of the most important region in terms of the International trade routes that pass through it. At the same time it is volatile in terms of maritime activities. Its area is approximately 1,491, 0000 Sq. Miles, width being 1500 Miles with maximum depth of 4650 meters. It is bounded by Pakistan and Iran in the north, on the East by India, on the West by Arabian Peninsula, Somalia, Oman and Yemen.  The most important water ways merging into Arabian Sea include Gulf of Aden in the southwest, connecting with Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman to the northwest connecting Persian/ Arabian Gulf. Apart from these Gulfs of Khambhat and Kutch are located in the Indian coast. However Indus River is the biggest river flowing into the sea.

Historically Arabian Sea has always played a dominating and significant role in International Shipping.   Some canal networks like Suez were constructed in 1869 to provide access to sea. It continues to be major player in the shipping industry today in terms of volume of trade. Need for free flow of trade and transportation in this area has therefore become prime concern for all beneficiaries. Around 17 Million barrel Oil passes through Strait of Hormuz daily, around 3.5 Million through Bab al Mandeb, approximately 15 Million barrel oil passes towards Far East routes.

The security concerns in the area are many and are on increase. Asymmetric threats of trans-national nature are dominating the list. Maritime terrorism and Piracy issues follow closely. Narcotic, arms and human smuggling are other menaces which need to be controlled effectively. The quantum of threats are such that no single country is able to handle it alone. The collaborative maritime deployment under a unified command has therefore become necessity of time.

Ever since the region gained a vital importance in terms of trade movements in recent times, Pakistan Navy has played an effective and key role to safeguard it.  Pakistan Navy joined Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 in April 2004 and in fact assumed leading role in its mission of maintaining peace and stability in maritime region. Pakistan Navy can be well proud of commanding this Task Force for record eight times.

After the adoption of UNSC resolution to launch Counter Piracy Ops in the region in January 2009, PN also joined coalition of multinational navies as part of Combined Task Force 151. Pakistan Navy has commanded this CTF six times whereas 7th tenure of command by Pakistan Navy is in progress. Along with 25 other ships of USA, Japan, Singapore and NATO countries, it patrolled an area of over 5 Million Square Nautical Miles. Apprehended large number of suspected vessels and thwarted innumerable attacks on merchant ships.  As a result of untiring efforts the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan has been recently excluded form High Risk Area of Piracy, thus, making transit of ships safe and comfortable and to reduce the cost of Insurance etc.

The safe and prompt evacuation of large number of citizens of various countries from war affected areas of Yemen last year bear testimony to PN humanitarian relief activities in western sector of the region.  In field of Maritime diplomacy PN regularly conducts AMAN exercises since 2007. Some 20 to 28 regional and extra regional countries take part in these mutually beneficial Operations. Apart from this, bilateral exercises with Navies of the Arabian Peninsula and foreign navies ships visiting Karachi port are common practices.  No other country in the region has done so much as Pakistan. This vital contribution has been acknowledged and appreciated by the world powers at large.

Fortunately Pakistan is blessed with nearly 990 Km coastal area from Gwatar Bay in the West to Sir Creek in East. Pakistan has an EEZ of 240000 Sq Kms. With rigorous efforts initiated by Pakistan Navy and ably joined by National Institute of Oceanography another 50000 Sq. Km area at sea has been added as Extension of Continental Shelf last year.  Pakistan is the first country is the region to achieve this success. In the process very pertinent and useful data has been obtained. This information can lead to estimation of natural resources.

According to available statistics Pakistan Continental Shelf and surrounding area in North Arabian Sea has oil and gas reservoirs worth around Fourteen Thousand Million USD. Apart from this Manganese, Copper, Nickel, Cobalt metals worth over Ten thousand Million USD are reported in the region. This resource potential obviously can bring economic prosperity in the region. Pakistan has to exploit these resources for the interest of our people and area. 

China-Pakistan-economic- Corridor (CPEC) is strategically important for progress and prosperity of both Pakistan and China. Other countries in the region can also benefit from this development. In this respect Gwadar Port being the sea terminus assumes a special significance. It will be of interest to know that Pakistan Navy was the first to point out the importance of its strategic location both for commercial and maritime activities.  Assuming pioneering role, PN commissioned a base at Gwadar PNS Akram in July 1987.

PN is also participating in Nation Building process in coastal areas. It is contributing in socio-economic uplift through educational institutions at Coastal towns of Ormara, Pasni, Turbat and Gwadar including a recently established Cadet College Ormara. In health sector a modern 100 bed hospital PNS DARMAAN JAH was established at Ormara. Similar set ups are expected to come up soon in other areas.  To provide job opportunities to local population Recruitment Centre is established at Gwadar. With all these progressive activities and human resource developments, it is expected that the local populace will soon be able to join in the main stream of work force in their province.

Pakistan Navy can be very proud of their positive and substantial contributions in safeguarding interests of those operating in Arabian Sea. It is also well geared up to provide all possible assistance for development of Maritime Zones and coastal areas of the homeland. The writer is a retired Vice Admiral of Pakistan Navy and frequently contributes on maritime issues.