Since 2007, the Pakistan Navy has been organising the AMAN series of multinational naval exercises, biannually in and around Karachi. AMAN means "Peace" in Urdu and the aim of the exercises is the promotion of regional cooperation and stability, increased interoperability between various navies of the Indian Ocean Region (and beyond) and a display of united resolve against terrorism, piracy, and other crimes in the maritime domain.
From February 7-11, the AMAN exercise took place ashore and afloat, joined by ships, naval aircraft, marines, special operations forces, and explosive ordnance disposal teams from 15 countries and exercise observers from 60 countries. In parallel, on February 9 and 10, the maiden "AMAN Dialogue" was held at PNS Rahbar on Manora Island in Karachi – the Pakistan Naval Academy. Under the motto "Secure Seas – Prosperous Future", the AMAN Dialogue's purpose was to provide Chiefs of Navies and Coast Guards, academia, and other dignitaries an opportunity to exchange views on regional and global maritime security issues and create a platform for the exchange of innovative solutions to emerging maritime challenges.
While Switzerland is a landlocked country, it still has a vital interest in open sea lines of communication and unhindered maritime transport, both for the import and the export of goods. Maritime security challenges such as piracy, terrorism, smuggling, narcotics, and human trafficking, etc. affect Swiss interests too, which is why Switzerland, being represented by the Defence Attache?, was one of the observer countries attending this first AMAN Dialogue.
Panellists from all over the world, including Brazil, USA, Iran, Russia, Bangladesh, and Australia, to name but a few, applauded Pakistan's "convening power" that allowed for such a broad audience to gather in one single room. As another sign of Pakistan's commitment to international cooperation in the maritime domain, it was pointed out numerous times that Pakistan currently holds command of the so-called "Combined Task Force 151" (CTF-151). CTF-151 is the anti-piracy component of the Combined Marine Forces (CMF), a 46-nation naval partnership, based in Bahrain, with the aim of increasing security and stability in the Arab Sea, the Red Sea, and the Western Indian Ocean. CTF-151 has been invoked in 2009 and Pakistan holds command already for the 11th time now – more than any other country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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