Pakistan’s role in maritime security

Pakistan Navy’s exercise Aman is a mega event for Pakistan. The confidence reposed in Pakistan by the 46 participant countries in the exercise is reflective of the fact that Pakistan is acknowledged as a responsible nuclear state. The five-day multinational maritime exercise AMAN-19, hosted by the Pakistan Navy (PN), commenced in Karachi on Friday. During the flag-raising ceremony, the flags of 46 countries participating in this year’s drill were hoisted and a smartly turned out contingent of the Navy presented a march-past. Commander Pakistani Fleet Vice Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi addressed the opening ceremony as the chief guest. In his address, he elaborated that Aman, which means peace, is a step to enhance cooperation. He further said that maritime security is pivotal for national security and safeguarding maritime routes is essential for the economy. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Pakistan Army are also taking part in the exercise.
The exercise has two major phases: harbour and sea phases. Harbour activities include seminars, discussions and demonstrations. In tandem, a three-day International Maritime Conference is also being held on the topic “Global Geopolitics in Transition: Rethinking Maritime Dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region”. The vice admiral said that Pakistan remained steadfast in fighting the forces of terror and tyranny. Pakistan has given tremendous sacrifices and suffered losses, yet it continues to be responsible state cognizant of its role and significance in the international system. Of course, Pakistan has substantial stakes in the maritime domain. He added: “Our interest in safer and crime-free seas is rooted into three conspicuous realities: 1) Our extraordinary dependence on the seas for trade, 2) Operationalization of CPEC project; and 3) Our strategic location astride the global energy highway”. The exercise was started in 2007 and it has been regularly conducted after every two years.
In 2017, the four-day exercise with 37 countries taking part including the US, Russia and China with the theme ‘Together for peace’ was held. Pakistan enjoys a very close strategic relationship with its neighbor China – the emerging superpower. Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia, the GCC countries and Turkey remain friendly despite some misunderstandings and differences over the nuances over 34-countries Saudi-led coalition. Pakistan is an important member of the international community, and it has been contributing to international peace and remains one of the largest contributors to the UN peace keeping missions. Pakistan’s relations with Russia are improving by the day. In early 1960s, Pakistan had even a close brush of being bombed back into Stone Age by an enraged Soviet Union after its military downed an American U-2 reconnaissance plane flying on its Central Asian republics.
American military aircraft had taken off from Badaber, an American base near Peshawar lent out by our heirarchs, which American military had been using clandestinely to eavesdrop on Soviet satellite launching and missile-testing activities. Badaber was a no go area even for president of Pakistan. After shooting down the plane, the Soviets encircled Peshawar in bold red and threatened of severe consequences. But what we got in return from American lords for imperiling our security so perilously for their sake – a snap embargo on all US military supplies, including spare parts for our military the moment Indo-Pak war broke out in 1965. However, the redeeming feature is that the US has realized Pakistan’s importance. General Joseph L Votel, Commander US CENTCOM informed Congress committee of positive role Pakistan played in negotiations with the Taliban, and US Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad also appreciated Pakistan Army’s efforts for regional peace and stability.