ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy on Tuesday held a command and staff conference that reviewed situation in the North Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden as well as deliberated upon measures for the safety of trade vessels passing through them, the navy’s media wing said.
The command and staff conference is the apex decision-making body of Pakistan Navy, in which chief of the naval staff along with all principal staff officers and field commanders undertake review of Pakistan Navy’s policies and plans.
Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf presided over the conference at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad that reviewed matters relating to geo-strategic milieu, national security, operational preparedness, and training of troops, according to the navy’s director-general public relations (DGPR).
“The forum reviewed maritime situation in North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden and deliberated on measures for safety and security of national sea trade passing through the region,” the DGPR said in a statement.
The development comes weeks after Yemen’s Houthi group said they had targeted three ships in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden using missiles and drones.
Houthi militants in Yemen have launched drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden since November. They say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians over the war in Gaza.
The command and staff conference of Pakistan Navy was also briefed by officials on important ongoing and future developmental projects, according to the statement. The naval chief expressed confidence over combat readiness and significant contribution of the navy in maritime domain.
“Chief of the Naval Staff emphasized on strengthening maritime security and maintaining combat readiness so as to effectively respond to any aggression against Pakistan,” it read.
“He urged on acquisition of niche and novel capabilities while exploiting indigenous sources in order to cope with modern day challenges in maritime domain.”
Last week, Pakistan Navy warship PNS Yarmook conducted bilateral exercises with navies of allied countries as part of a Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) deployment in Bahrain aimed at enhancing naval coordination and the capability of joint operations in the region.
In July, Pakistan Navy also assumed command of a multinational task force responsible for ensuring maritime security in the southeastern waters of the Middle East, operating in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden.
Pakistan Navy reviews situation in North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden, safety of trade vessels
https://arab.news/4m3t4
Pakistan Navy reviews situation in North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden, safety of trade vessels
- The development comes weeks after Yemen’s Houthi group said they had targeted three ships in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden
- In July, Pakistan Navy assumed command of a multinational task force responsible for ensuring maritime security in regional waters
Uzbekistan president to arrive in Pakistan today to strengthen trade, energy cooperation
- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to lead high-level delegation of ministers, business leaders on Feb. 5-6 visit, says Pakistan foreign office
- Visit takes place days after Pakistan, Uzbekistan reaffirmed $2 billion trade target during intergovernmental commission meeting
ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will arrive in Pakistan today, Thursday, with a high-level delegation to identify new avenues for bilateral cooperation in trade, defense, energy and other avenues, Pakistan's foreign ministry said.
The visit takes place after the 10th session of the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation in Islamabad on Feb. 2. Both sides reaffirmed their $2 billion trade target and areed to push for regional connectivity, develop trade routes and accelerate cooperation in several sectors.
Mirziyoyev will lead a high-level delegation comprising senior ministers and business leaders on a two-day state visit, Pakistan's foreign ministry said.
"Discussions will focus on reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations and identifying new avenues to further deepen cooperation in diverse sectors including trade, energy, defense, education, people-to-people exchange and regional connectivity," the statement said.
The Uzbek leader's visit takes place two days after Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Islamabad to hold talks on trade, business and connectivity.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan signed 37 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and set a target of raising bilateral trade to $1 billion within a year during Tokayev's visit.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have steadily increased economic ties in recent years as Islamabad seeks greater access to landlocked Central Asian markets, aiming to position itself as a regional transit and trade hub linking South Asia with Central Asia.
Pakistan was the first Central Asian partner with which Uzbekistan signed a bilateral Transit Trade Agreement, along with a Preferential Trade Agreement in March 2022, covering 17 items, which became operational in 2023.
Pakistan's finance ministry said last month that Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR was set to finalize an investment in the country’s oil and gas sector following high-level engagements at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
