Pakistan Navy will participate for the first time in a US-led international exercise next week aimed at deterring terrorists, arms and human smugglers at sea, an official said on Sunday.
The participation of Pakistan, a US ally in war on terror, in the Arabian Sea exercise coincides with the country's decision to sign up to the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan, a US-led scheme to safeguard the region's waters.
"Pakistan's Navy would not participate in any blockade by the coalition against any country in the region," navy spokesman Roshan Khayal told AFP.
Khayal said participation in the coalition maritime programme and exercises involving ships from Australia, Britain, Canada, France and Japan would enhance Pakistan's ability to respond quickly to threats and to tackle maritime crime.