Pakistan’s maritime strategy, defence-oriented
ISLAMABAD, Apr 15 (APP): Pakistan’s maritime strategy is defence-driven with no element of seeking parity with the neighbouring countries that are reportedly opting for a full-fledged blue water navy.The imperatives of the strategy include protection of Pakistan’s territorial waters, frustrating all efforts of exploiting its sea resources by others and to ensure free and smooth economic access for trade.
It is a medium size navy with no offensive designs and it does not aim at sea access denial to its neighbour.
This was stated by Ambassador of Pakistan to Jakarta, Sanaullah while addressing the officers and guests at the Indonesian Naval Staff College as special guest speaker, says a press release.
In his talk, he highlighted the heavy dependence of Pakistan’s economy (95 % in volume and 86 % in value) on sea transportation. He said Pakistan had always treated sea as a binding agent than as a divisive element in its relations with neighbors.
Pakistan had always used its modest maritime forces to strengthen peace and security of the lanes in the Arabian Sea which is strategic for safety of energy corridor.
It had also cooperated with the international community as part and sometimes as the command of 150, 151 Multiple Task Forces in collaboration with NATO to carry out anti-piracy campaign in the Horn of Africa, Gulf of Eden and waters around it.
The ambassador spoke in detail about the present and future strategy to improve Pakistan’s sea-based second strike capability. In his view Pakistan had overcome its earlier deficiency to counter sea and land based missile attacks as experienced in 1971.
He said submarines and naval aircrafts still remained Pakistan navy’s major strength. He quoted Pakistan’s military leaders that the Navy was fully equipped to protect the national interest and defend its territorial waters.
He also spoke about the technical knowhow the Naval forces had gained during the past sixty years. In this context, he made a special mention of the ship building industry, assemblage of the Augusta submarines and refurbishing of old submarines and ships.
Referring to the Naval diplomacy, Ambassador Sanaullah spoke about Pakistan Navy’s active cooperation with UK, France, USA, Sweden and China.
He made a mention of the joint naval exercises and visits of Pakistani warships to different countries including Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
During the questions and answers session, the ambassador was asked whether the East Asia and Pacific countries including Indonesia should develop full-fledged blue water navy or continue maintaining the existing fleet.
The Ambassador said each country had the right to defend its land and waters as its leadership considered the best keeping in view its economic needs as well as its threat perceptions.
He said as Ambassador he could only say that regional economic development should be accorded preference over military ambitions of a single preponderant state. He hoped that countries in the region would continue participating in the drive against piracy to ensure a safe environment in the Indian Ocean.
On Pakistan-Indonesia relations, he said these had always been trouble free and were growing with each passing day. He said Pakistan looked forward to forging a strong economic partnership with Indonesia as well as other ASEAN countries. He observed that the bilateral trade would be the key factor in development of economic ties between the two countries in future.
Responding to a question on the war on terror, the Ambassador said Pakistan remains committed to fighting the menace of terrorism and was also prepared to do more but would do that on its own terms and conditions to safeguard its independence.
He said Pakistan alone had suffered more causalities than the combined forty three ISAF nations which gave a clear idea of Pakistan’s significant contribution in the war on terror. He dispelled all apprehensions about Pakistan’s sincerity in the anti-terrorism drive and strongly disapproved of allegations against Pakistan’s security agencies with regard to war on terror.
The two-hour lecturer was followed by a presentation ceremony. Commandant Naval College and faculty members presented plaques to the Ambassador.
Earlier on arrival at the college, accompanied by the Defence Attache, Col. Omar, the Ambassador was warmly received by the Commandant, Rear Admiral Sumartono and faculty members. He was accorded the traditional Valreep welcome.
