PNS Baburs visit to boost ties with Qatar
PAKISTANI naval ship PNS Babur was on a goodwill visit to Doha recently.
During its stay, the ships crew participated in a number of activities and interacted with officials of Qatar Emiri Navy to enhance relations between Qatar and Pakistan.
The ship was commanded by Captain Azhar Naeem who joined Pakistan Navy in July 1985.
After completion of his basic training, he served onboard PNS Shahjahan, a gearing-class destroyer.
He is a warfare specialist and did his specialisation from School of Maritime Operations, HMS Dryad, UK, in 1995.
Naeem also holds a combat management course degree from Sweden.
Prior to assuming the command of PNS Babur, he served as captain, training at PNS Bahadur.
In an exclusive interview, Naeem talked to Qatar Tribunes LN Mallick about PNS Baburs current visit to Doha and Pakistan navy.
Excerpts: Q What is the purpose of PNS Baburs visit to Qatar? A. Pakistan enjoys a long standing and cordial relationship with Qatar.
These relations are based on strong foundation and mutual interests.
PNS Babur is here on a goodwill visit.
We hope that the visit will further strengthen an existing bond.
It is a fact that naval forces have always played a vital role in strengthening the bond of friendship through goodwill visits and I feel proud to say that the Pakistan Navy has always endeavoured in promoting peace, cooperation and harmony in the region.
Our current visit is also a continuation of this effort.
What kind of relationship and interaction exists between Pakistan Navy and Qatar Navy? Qatar Emiri Navy and Pakistan Navy (PN) have maintained close ties over the years.
PN collaborates with Qatar Navy on various issues.
The PNs participation in IDEX-07, IDEX-09 and more recently DIMDEX 10 are clear manifestations of our naval collaboration.
QEN has also reciprocated by participating in PN multinational exerciser AMAN-07 and AMAN-09.
The present visit of a PN ship is another demonstration of our close naval ties.
Where is PNS Babur currently deployed? Pakistan Navy is currently working with the coalition forces and contributing effectively in the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (CMCP).
One of the PN ships is supporting efforts in this direction round the clock.
PNS Babur is currently deployed for the CMCP and is a part of the Combined Task Force 150.
What is the aim of CMCP? The Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan is the maritime component of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Its aim is to enhance maritime security and stability in the North Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf.
What is the situation of the anti-terrorism operations in Pakistan? Fighting non-state actors is complex and demanding.
Our armed forces are fully engaged in operations against terrorists on many fronts.
We have had considerable success but these efforts must continue.
In the maritime environment, PN remains fully prepared to support the war against terror.
How is the PN contributing to coalition efforts in promoting maritime security and stability in the region? Pakistan Navy has been participating in CMCP since 2004.
One of our ships is always operating in North Arabian Sea as part of Command Task Force-150.
PN LRMPs are also conducting operations in support of TF-150.
I may add that PN has been the first regional and non-NATO navy command TF-150 and TF-161.
Currently, the PN is in command of TF-151 for the first time.
PN has commanded TF- 150 four times.
The PN, despite its resource constraints, has also been conducting counter piracy deployments in GOA since 2009.
All these efforts reflect the PNs desire to contribute in promoting maritime security and stability in the region.
In your opinion what are the ways to counter the menace of piracy? World powers should seek some economical, political and diplomatic solution to this menace rather than only rely on military solutions.
Dialogue with influential groups in the region and convincing them to curb piracy at a local level can be tried.
Moreover, providing financial support at grassroots level and stability in the country may be a more viable option.
In your opinion do you think that counter piracy operations have helped the world community face the threat of pirates? In recent years, owing to a variety of reasons, piracy has emerged as a major threat to maritime trade.
Pirates are now more organised and have access to modern weapons and equipment.
To counter the menace, the international community has made a substantial commitment in the shape of naval units who are present in the region.
Being hundreds of miles away from Somalia, what is the interest of Pakistan in joining the Counter Piracy Campaign? The government and people of Pakistan are committed to fight extremism, terrorism and violence in all its forms.
Despite being a small naval force, PN has committed its surface platforms to protect our own merchant ships and also those belonging to the international community.
The presence of PN units in the area is a manifestation of our resolve.
Why is Pakistan operating under the umbrella of CTF-151? As you know Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally which is actively participating as a frontline state in the fight against extremism.
We are also a part of CMCP under CTF-150, for curbing illicit activities including smuggling, drugs, human and arms-trafficking.
Hence, working with the coalition forces under the mandate of United Nations is also a new task and helps inter-operability and ease logistic support.
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