Multinational naval exercise ‘Aman-17’ kicks off in Karachi
karachi — The multinational ‘Aman-17’ naval exercise kicked off here on Friday morning with 37 countries, including Pakistan, taking part in the event.
Nine of the visitors — Australia, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and Russia — are participating with naval assets, reports Dawn online.
‘Aman-17’ is the fifth such exercise that has taken place. Pakistan has been holding the exercise every alternate year since 2007.
Commander of the Pakistani fleet Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini, who was the chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the exercise by hoisting the Pakistani flag at the Karachi dockyard.
The vice admiral, speaking at the ceremony, said that the exercise would help work against human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and terrorism in the region, Radio Pakistan reported.
The Pakistan Navy has played a vital role for ensuring safe passage of cargo ships in the region, he added.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif extended a warm welcome to all participants and said Pakistan, being a major stakeholder in maritime security of the Arabian Sea, is fully committed to ensuring freedom of navigation and lawful maritime order. The premier pointed out that maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean are both multidimensional and multifaceted. Threats such as maritime terrorism, drug trafficking and piracy have acquired international dimensions, he said.
The premier said cooperation between international navies was imperative to counter the threats of terrorism, drug trafficking and piracy.
He said Pakistan being a major stakeholder in maritime security of he Arabian Sea was fully committed to ensuring freedom of navigation and lawful maritime order.
He said the maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean were both multidimensional and multifaceted. Threats like maritime terrorism, drug trafficking and piracy have acquired international dimensions, he added.
The prime minister said cooperation between international navies was therefore imperative to counter these emerging threats.
“I am confident that AMAN-17 will be a big stride towards this direction,” the Prime Minister said. — APP