President calls for strengthening Pakistan Navy

KARACHI President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasised the need to strengthen the Pakistan Navy to protect the country’s geo-economic interests and safeguard its maritime borders.

Speaking at the induction ceremony of the MILGEM Class Corvette Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Babur and the Offshore Patrol Vessel PNS Hunain into the Pakistan Navy fleet, he said that these new additions would enhance the Navy’s capacity to meet its expanding operational responsibilities.

Addressing the event at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi on Friday, the president commended the Navy’s evolving capabilities. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of National Defence of Turkiye Bilal Burdali, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, senior officials from construction yards, high-ranking military personnel, and political leaders.

PNS Babur, a multipurpose vessel, was constructed and commissioned at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard on September 23, 2023, while PNS Hunain, an offshore patrol vessel, was built and commissioned at the DAMEN Shipyard in Romania on July 25, 2024.

In his speech, President Zardari underscored the significance of the induction of these vessels, describing it as a milestone in bolstering Pakistan’s maritime defence. He said adding these ships would enhance the Navy’s operational readiness, enabling it to counter conventional and asymmetric threats.

Highlighting the critical role of the Pakistan Navy in ensuring maritime security and promoting regional stability, the president said its contribution to safeguarding the country’s sea lanes and maritime commerce. He stressed the importance of the Navy in supporting Pakistan’s economic growth, particularly through the protection of the blue economy’s potential.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to defending its sovereignty, President Zardari vowed to uphold peace and stability, ensuring the protection of the motherland at all costs. He also reflected on the significance of Defence and Martyrs’ Day, paying tribute to the Armed Forces and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country’s defence. The president expressed his gratitude to the teams from Pakistan, Turkiye, and the Dutch DAMEN Shipyard for their efforts in constructing the newly inducted vessels. “These ships symbolise our strong friendship with Turkiye and our trust in the Dutch DAMEN Shipyard in Romania,” he said, adding that their inclusion in the fleet would further enhance the Navy’s ability to protect Pakistan’s maritime boundaries.

President Zardari extended his congratulations to the commanding officers and crew of PNS Babur and PNS Hunain, wishing them success in their future missions.

In his welcome address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf hailed the induction of the two ships as a significant step in strengthening the Pakistan Navy fleet. He acknowledged the government’s unwavering support in providing the necessary resources for the Navy’s development and praised the professional competence of ASFAT, the Istanbul Shipyard, DAMEN Shipyard Galati, and the project team for their hard work in delivering highly capable vessels. Admiral Ashraf said that this accomplishment reflected the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between the nations involved.