KARACHI: The Pakistan Navy on Monday launched the Sea Guard-25 exercise in the southern port city of Karachi to bring diverse sectors and agencies together on one platform to “collectively address multifaceted challenges in the maritime domain.”
The exercise, the second in its series, will run from Feb. 24-28 and bring together representatives from fisheries, law enforcement agencies, private entities, and non-profits.
“In addition to prominent figures from the private sector and fishing community, representatives from various organizations, including the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Pakistan Coast Guards, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Anti-Narcotics Force, Federal Investigation Agency, Karachi Port Trust, and Port Qasim Authority, attended the session,” the navy said in a statement.
“The exercise seeks to enhance coordination among national stakeholders while operating within their respective legal frameworks, using JMICC as a common platform to strengthen security of Pakistan’s maritime zones,” the navy statement added, referring to the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center.
“It includes a series of practical scenario-based exercises at sea, along with table-top discussions, to refine and improve existing security mechanisms.”
Pakistan frequently conducts drills in Karachi, home to key naval bases and whose strategic position along the Arabian Sea is vital for safeguarding the South Asian nation’s territorial waters.
Earlier this month, Pakistan hosted the AMAN-25 multinational naval exercise, with 60 nations participating. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also concluded their annual Affaa Al Sahil naval exercise in Karachi in February.
