ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf has said that the induction of eight new Hangor class submarines into the Pakistani fleet would boost the navy’s combat capabilities, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday.
Ashraf said this during the Hangor Day celebrations when a Pakistani Hangor submarine sank Indian Navy ship Khukri during the 1971 war, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.
The Pakistani submarine, under the command of Commander Ahmed Tasnim, hit the Indian anti-submarine frigate with a torpedo off the Gujarat coast. It is the only instance post-World War II wherein a submarine sank a warship in action.
“The addition of eight Hangor submarines would boost the combat capabilities of Pakistan Navy besides bolstering its offensive punch,” Admiral Ashraf was quoted as saying by the APP.
He said Pakistan Navy always laid a “special emphasis” on its submarine force.
“We cannot forget this day and neither can the enemy,” the Pakistani naval chief said. “The event was not only part of a tactical battle executed perfectly, but also a strategic demonstration of Pakistan Navy’s resolve to repulse enemy aggression and defend the maritime frontiers.”
Admiral Ashraf said the Hangor Day depicted the “courage, tenacity and grit” of Pakistan Navy.
“Through professional excellence and dedication, we can fight against all odds, and continue to enrich our proud heritage,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that Pakistan Navy’s submarine squadron would continue to draw inspiration from its predecessors.
Pakistan naval chief says addition of eight new Hangor submarines will bolster navy’s combat capabilities
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Pakistan naval chief says addition of eight new Hangor submarines will bolster navy’s combat capabilities
- Naval chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf said the move would bolster Pakistan navy’s ‘offensive punch’
- Remarks came at event to mark Pakistani Hangor submarine’s sinking of Indian warship in 1971
PM calls for tapping gemstone reserves as Pakistan pushes for economic recovery
- Pakistan this month approved first national policy framework for precious stones, aiming to lift annual exports to $1 billion
- PM Shehbaz Sharif directs implementation of new policy framework, completion of Islamabad Gemstone Center by Aug. 2027
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for tapping Pakistan’s vast gemstone reserves, Sharif’s office said, as Islamabad seeks to boost their exports to support economic recovery.
The development comes two weeks after Pakistan approved its first national policy framework for gemstones and precious stones, aiming to reform the sector, align it with international standards and lift annual exports to $1 billion within five years.
Pakistan has intensified efforts to monetize its untapped mineral resources, amid fiscal pressures and an International Monetary Fund-backed reform program. Over the past two years, Islamabad has hosted international minerals conferences and signed agreements with countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia and China to attract investment and move up the value chain in mining and minerals processing.
On Monday, PM Sharif presided over a meeting on the promotion of precious stones and minerals in Islamabad, at which he directed seeking services of relevant experts of international repute for the construction of proposed gemstone centers in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, according to his office.
“There is a need to utilize the potential of gemstone reserves in Pakistan so that valuable foreign exchange can be earned from the exports of these precious stones,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office.
Despite officials estimating Pakistan’s gemstone reserves at around $450 billion, formal exports remain negligible, at about $5.8 million annually, due to weak certification systems, limited domestic processing capacity, widespread smuggling and fragmented regulation across federal and provincial authorities.
Pakistan’s new policy framework includes geological mapping to accurately assess reserves, the establishment of internationally accredited laboratories and certification regimes and the creation of a dedicated authority to regulate and promote the sector. The government also plans to set up a National Warranty Office and centers of excellence to support training, research and value-added processing.
The prime minister directed the implementation of the policy framework and the completion of Islamabad Gemstone Center by Aug. 2027.
A location has been identified on the Constitution Highway for the establishment of a gemstone center in Islamabad, according to Sharif’s office. The center will provide international standard value addition services, certification, incubation center and trade center facilities.
“Exports should be increased through value addition in the gemstone industry,” he said, urging officials to work together with the governments of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir to promote the industry.
