Pakistan Navy stresses importance of combat readiness to counter regional maritime threats

The handout photograph released by the Pakistan NAVY on April 10, 2025, shows Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf (right) chairs the Command and Staff Conference at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo Courtesy: DG PR Pakistan NAVVY)
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Updated 12 April 2025
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Pakistan Navy stresses importance of combat readiness to counter regional maritime threats

  • Pakistan navy chief chairs meeting of apex decision-making forum to discuss plans, review policies
  • Appreciates navy’s efforts in acquiring advanced platforms and technologies to counter threats

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s navy chief this week stressed the importance of maintaining combat readiness to counter conventional and non-conventional regional maritime threats, the navy said in a statement, appreciating the force’s efforts in acquiring the latest technologies and advanced platforms. 

Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf chaired the Command & Staff Conference at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad on Friday. 

The Command & Staff Conference is the apex decision-making forum of the Pakistan Navy, where Ashraf, along with all principal staff officers and field commanders, review policies and strategic plans. 

“The Naval Chief emphasized the importance of maintaining perpetual combat readiness to effectively counter both traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain,” a statement by the navy said on Friday.

“He appreciated the navy’s efforts in acquiring advanced platforms and technologies, expressing confidence in its operational preparedness to safeguard Pakistan’s maritime frontiers.”

The navy said that participants of the conference assessed the evolving maritime situation in the region with a focus on national security, geostrategic affairs and combat readiness.

Ashraf commended the navy for successfully hosting the multinational AMAN-25 naval exercise and the AMAN Dialogue, underscoring their significance in fostering maritime collaboration among regional and extra-regional naval forces. 

“He noted that these initiatives reflect Pakistan’s commitment to cooperative maritime security, in line with the navy’s vision for a secure and stable maritime environment,” the navy said. 

Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates with allies and friendly nations, conducting joint military exercises and other activities to enhance synergy, promote regional peace and stability, deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.


‘Confident’ Pakistan ready for India blockbuster after USA win

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‘Confident’ Pakistan ready for India blockbuster after USA win

  • Pakistan carry momentum into Sunday’s clash after back-to-back World Cup wins, series sweep of Australia
  • Players dismiss Pakistan’s poor ICC record against India, saying past results will not shape the outcome

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Pakistan warmed up for their blockbuster T20 World Cup clash against India with a 32-run win against the USA on Tuesday then declared they were “confident” of taking down their bitter rivals.

The Group A win was a boost for Pakistan before Sunday’s high-octane clash with the defending champions in Colombo, now back on after the Islamabad government called off a boycott 24 hours previously.

Opener Sahibzada Farhan, who top scored with 73 in the USA win, said: “The match is on and we are in a confident mood.”

Pakistan have a dismal record against India in ICC tournaments, winning only once in eight encounters in T20 World Cups and have lost all eight times that the sides have met in the 50-over World Cup.

In last year’s T20 Asian Cup, India beat Pakistan three times on their way to lifting the trophy in Dubai.

Spinner Tariq Usman, who took 3-27 against the United States, said those stats did not bother him.

“We used to beat India in the 1990s and before so don’t count the recent record or only the ICC event record, we used to win against them frequently,” said Tariq.”

Farhan promised: “This time it will be different and we will give a strong performance.

“We lost all three matches including the final to India in the Asia Cup but they were not one-sided.”

Farhan said two wins out of two in the World Cup, the first was against the Netherlands on Saturday, had kick-started Pakistan’s campaign.

Pakistan came into the tournament having beaten Australia 3-0 in a home T20 series and Farhan said the mood around the camp was very positive.

“Wins always give you confidence and we will take this confidence into Sunday’s game and we assure you we will be a better side come Sunday,” said Farhan.

India will face a second Group A match against Namibia on Thursday in New Delhi before flying to Sri Lanka.

It means a quick turnaround for Sunday’s match, the biggest and most lucrative clash in world cricket.