Cdre Ateeq ur Rehman Abid promoted to rank of R/Adm. The Officer got commission in Ops Branch in 1995. He is graduate of Pak Naval Academy, Naval War College USA & Royal College of Defence Studies UK and completed various professional courses from natl & Intl institutes.
The Admiral has vast experience of various Command & Staff appointments. In recognition of his meritorious service, the Admiral was awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military).
Pakistan's Naval Chief, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, inaugurated the country's first Maritime Science and Technology Park (PMSTP) in Karachi. This initiative aims to bolster the growth of various maritime sectors, including coastal tourism, aquaculture, seafood processing, and shipbuilding.
Key Features of the PMSTP:
Location: The park is established on the campus of Bahria University in Karachi and is designed as a pilot project to promote maritime education and applied research.
Focus Areas: The PMSTP will concentrate on several critical areas:
Coastal Tourism: Enhancing tourism activities along Pakistan's coastline.
Aquaculture and Seafood Processing: Promoting sustainable fishing practices and seafood production.
Shipbuilding: Supporting local shipbuilding industries to meet both national and international demands.
Renewable Ocean Energy: Exploring indigenous production of solar cells based on magnesium chloride and seawater desalination technologies.
Community Impact: The park aims to improve the living standards of coastal communities by providing opportunities for employment and economic development in maritime sectors.
Admiral Ashraf's Remarks:
During the inauguration, Admiral Ashraf expressed satisfaction with Bahria University's efforts to advance maritime education, innovation, and commercialization. He emphasized the importance of developing a robust maritime industry for Pakistan's economic growth and security.
Conclusion:
The establishment of the PMSTP marks a significant step forward for Pakistan's maritime capabilities, reflecting a strategic vision to harness its coastal resources effectively. This initiative is expected to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government, paving the way for advancements in maritime science and technology in the region.
The participation of the Pakistan Navy's marinized ATR aircraft in the Mavi Balina Exercise in Turkey highlights the growing defense collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey.
About the Mavi Balina Exercise:
Purpose: A multinational maritime exercise hosted by Turkey to enhance naval cooperation and interoperability in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and other naval operations.
Participants: Includes NATO allies and partner countries, showcasing a blend of regional and international naval power.
Pakistan Navy's ATR Aircraft:
Role:The marinized ATR aircraft is a key asset in Pakistan Navy's maritime patrol and reconnaissance fleet. It is equipped with advanced sensors, radars, and surveillance systems, capable of conducting:
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Maritime Surveillance
Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations
Significance: Its deployment in such exercises underscores Pakistan’s capabilities in maritime domain awareness and its contribution to regional stability.
Pakistan-Turkey Defense Ties:
This participation is another testament to the strong defense relationship between Pakistan and Turkey, which includes:
Collaboration in naval technologies (e.g., MILGEM corvettes for Pakistan Navy).
Joint exercises to improve tactical proficiency and strengthen military bonds.
The Mavi Balina Exercise not only strengthens operational readiness but also reinforces the strategic partnership between two brotherly nations.
The Pakistan Navy recently conducted a successful rescue operation, saving the lives of three fishermen whose boat was sinking in the deep sea. The distress call was received from a fishing vessel located approximately 8 nautical miles from the Pakistan Navy's Sonmiani Station.
Key Details of the Rescue Operation:
Emergency Response: Upon receiving the distress signal, a rescue team was promptly dispatched to the location. This quick response underscores the Pakistan Navy's commitment to maritime safety and humanitarian assistance.
Utilization of Naval Assets: The rescue team utilized naval watercraft to intercept the sinking fishing vessel effectively. Their timely intervention was crucial in ensuring the safety of the individuals on board.
Successful Rescue: The three fishermen were successfully rescued and brought to safety, demonstrating the operational readiness and capability of the Pakistan Navy to handle emergencies at sea.
This operation highlights the Pakistan Navy's ongoing efforts to provide assistance and ensure the safety of those navigating its waters, reaffirming its role in maritime security and humanitarian missions.
The Pakistan Navy's participation in IDEAS-2024 (International Defence Exhibition and Seminar) highlights its commitment to showcasing advancements in maritime defense technologies and fostering international collaboration. IDEAS is a prestigious platform where Pakistan displays its defense capabilities to global partners, promoting strategic ties and self-reliance in defense production.
Key Highlights:
IDEAS-2024 Presence:
The Pakistan Navylikely showcased its indigenously developed systems, including:
MILGEM-class corvettes (designed with Turkish collaboration).
Maritime patrol and reconnaissance platforms (e.g., marinized ATR aircraft and UAVs).
Submarine programs like the Hangor-class (AIP-equipped) submarines.
Demonstrated advancements in anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
Upcoming AMAN-2025 Naval Exercise:
Scheduled for February 2025, AMAN-2025 will be the 8th iteration of this multinational naval exercise.
The exercise focuses on promoting regional peace and maritime security through cooperative efforts.
Participation from over 40 countries is expected, reflecting Pakistan's commitment to maritime diplomacy.
Key themes:
Joint maritime security operations.
Interoperability among navies.
Counterpiracy, counterterrorism, and disaster relief efforts.
AMAN Dialogue 2025:
The strategic conference accompanying the exercise will address global maritime challenges, fostering discussions on:
Climate change and its impact on maritime security.
Collaboration against illegal maritime activities like trafficking and piracy.
Promoting peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
Significance:
These initiatives reaffirm Pakistan's role as a responsible maritime state and enhance its strategic partnerships globally. The Pakistan Navy’s AMAN initiative continues to symbolize “Together for Peace,” demonstrating its commitment to fostering collaboration for collective maritime security.
The participants were briefed on #PakNavy’s role for seaward defence and development of maritime sector. Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami graced the session as the Chief Guest.
Both ships operated under task forces of Combined Maritime Forces (#CMF), CTF-150 & CTF-151, respectively. Successful conduct of joint Ex underscores commitment of both navies & their respective Task Forces to upholding maritime security, supporting lawful activities at sea.
PNS-Rizwan Pakistan Navy's first intelligence gathering ship. It is equipped with advanced tracking systems housed in three radar domes for electronic-intelligence (ELINT) and signal Intelligence (SIGINT) to monitor satellite communications radar signals and other electronic transmissions providing strategic intelligence in maritime and coastal regions.
Pakistan's Navy yesterday saved 12 mariners from #India at sea in a rescue operation led by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) in the spirit of international maritime cooperation for humanitarian/assistance purposes, after their ship, the Indian cargo vessel MSV AL PIRANIPIR began sinking in the high seas.
PMSA aircraft searched for and spotted the Indian mariners first, and later directed Search and Rescue (SAR) operations via Pakistan Navy and PMSA ships to keep the mariners alive, as well as coordinated with the Indian Coast Guard ships to sail into Pakistani EEZ so that the Indian mariners could be taken back to India, after PMSA received an urgent email from the Mumbai MRCC in India requesting assistance to locate and rescue survivors from the sunken vessel.