PN raises dedicated Task Force for protection of CPEC, Gwadar Port`

KARACHI: Aiming to ensure security of Gwadar Port and CPEC in maritime domain, Pakistan Navy raises the Task Force-88 at Gwadar on Tuesday.

The Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat was the chief guest of the ceremony, a press release of Pakistan Navy (PN) said here.

While addressing the ceremony, the Joint Chief lauded the initiative taken by Pakistan Navy in raising a dedicated Task Force for maritime security of CPEC.

He said that the initiative by PN would contribute significantly towards the success of CPEC.

The Chairman also acknowledged the role being played by Pakistan Navy in ensuring safe and secure maritime environment which is an essential pre-requisite for maritime economy to flourish. "The role of Pakistan Navy is deeply embedded in the maritime operationalization of CPEC as it will be required to shoulder greater responsibilities to ensure protection of growing maritime trade and to provide security to our sea lanes", he underlined.

Addressing on the occasion, Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbassi, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Operations, said that viability and assured dividends of CPEC related projects are intrinsically linked with the security of maritime domain. Therefore, providing security to CPEC on land as well as making its maritime prong safe is vital for the projects' success. In this regard, ensuring maritime security remains an important responsibility of Pakistan Navy which is set to grow in the coming years. Accordingly, Pakistan Navy is gearing up to meet this challenge.

Earlier, during his welcome address, Chairman GPA thanked Pakistan Navy for ensuring security of Gwadar Port and highlighted the importance of Gwadar Port for the prosperity of Pakistan. The Chairman also handed over the traditional Command Telescope to the first Commander of Task Force-88, Commodore Muhammad Waris, on the occasion.

The ceremony was attended by Federal Ministers, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan and other Civil, Military and Foreign Dignitaries.