ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday said that Pakistan was again showing its commitment to global cooperation as Pakistan Navy organises multinational AMAN Exercise 2021.
On Twitter, the president said that the naval exercise, being participated by over 42 naval forces, was line with the government of Pakistan’s vision for regional peace and stability.
“Congrats all participants on being part of this flagship event,” the president said.
Separately, Pakistan Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Naveed Ashraf said on Friday that around 45 countries have gathered for the Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-21, with the mutual goal and commitment to make the seas safer. The increasing number of participants reflects growing trust in the value of the exercise, he added.
Rear Admiral Naveed Ashraf was addressing the participants of the flag hoisting ceremony of AMAN 21 at the Karachi dockyard where the senior representatives of the 45 participating countries also graced the official flag hoisting ceremony with their presence.
Ashraf welcomed all the participants who had travelled from all across the globe and gathered to participate in the AMAN-21, and expressed profound gratitude to the countries for their participation in despite the challenges of the pandemic.
He expressed hope that the interaction between the participating countries will be memorable and professionally rewarding.
Elaborating the title “AMAN”, Rear Admiral Ashraf pointed out that the literal meaning of Urdu word “AMAN” is peace, which draws the motto of the exercise “Together for Peace”, and represents therein the spirit of collaborative maritime security.
He stressed that today is a proud moment for Pakistan Navy as they began the 7th edition of the biennial multi-national maritime exercise.
The purpose of the AMAN-21 is to let us come together and understand each other so we can fight with the common enemies, thereby achieve peace and stability at sea, he said.
He added that the exercise has encouraged the process of collaborative maritime security among countries across the globe to demonstrate a joint resolve against the threats emanating within the maritime domain, and to enhance interoperability among the participating navies.
Furthermore, he stated this exercise helps to achieve sheer understanding of maritime security operations, counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
Rear Admiral Naveed Ashraf said that the salient activities of AMAN-21 include professional interactions, cross cultural events, and exercises at sea.
He added that Pakistan is a firm believer in collaborative maritime security and therefore has been actively participating in maritime security and counter-piracy operations along with other partner navies since 2004.
The rear admiral explained that Pakistan has institutionalised a taskforce (TF-88) for seaward security of Gwadar Port and the adjacent sea area.
He maintained that, since 2018, Pakistan Navy has been undertaking the initiative of Regional Maritime Security Patrol, which is aimed at making sea safer for maritime community and contributing to the freedom of navigation at sea in the Indian Ocean region.
He said that the concept of maritime navy is vast and multidimensional, ranging from traditional security issues like state sovereignty matters, territorial disputes as well threats from conventional forces and more.
No country can single handedly tackle the diverse threats that exist or the new ones that emerge on daily basis, he added.
The Pakistan fleet commander said that some of the prominent activities of AMAN-21 include anti-piracy tactics, counter-terrorism operations, search and rescue maneuvers as well as the international fleet review.
Commander of 25th Destroyer Squadron Commodore Imtiaz Ali, reading the message of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CONS) Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, welcomed the participants of AMAN-21.
In his message, the naval chief said that this exercise provides “not only a medium to develop doctrinal synergy to tackle maritime security challenges, but also serves to enhance interoperability amongst navies at different pedestals of technological prowess to secure a safe and sustainable maritime environment.”
In this regard, Pakistan Navy continues to actively contribute towards regional maritime security, the chief of Naval Staff said his message.
Reading out the message, Commodore Imtiaz Ali said, “it is a matter of pride to see flags and ensigns of over 45 Navies fluttering together as an embodiment of exercise motto, ‘Together for Peace’.”
“I am certain,” he continued, “that the camaraderie generated herein will continue to grow and bring us even closer to the cherished goals of realizing regional peace and shared prosperity, through collaborative efforts.”
Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi in his message also extended gratitude to the participating navies for joining AMAN-21.
“The overwhelming response received for the Exercise, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, reflects your firm commitment for a secure maritime environment, which is indeed inspiring,” he said.
“I look forward to a successful and rewarding exercise and thank all the participants who have travelled great distances to be our worthy guests and invaluable partners for peace”, the message concluded.
Earlier, the senior representatives of all partners’ countries took up the position when the flag party officially performed hoisting of the flags of participating countries on the tune of the national anthem of Pakistan.
