Task Force-88: Navy raises force for CPEC, Gwadar security

Gen Zubair lauds navy’s initiative for maritime security

QUETTA: Pakistan Navy raised a special task force for maritime security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Gwadar sea port on Tuesday.

The force will be known as Task Force-88. The traditional Command Telescope was also handed over to the first commander of the force, Commodore Muhammad Waris, during a special ceremony.

The command telescope was handed over to Commodore Waris by CJCSC Gen Zubair Hayat, who was the chief guest at the event, according to a press release.



Addressing the ceremony, Gen Zubair lauded the initiative taken by Pakistan Navy in raising a dedicated task force for the maritime security of CPEC. He said the initiative would contribute significantly towards the success of the corridor.

Gen Zubair also acknowledged the role being played by Pakistan Navy in ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment which is “an essential pre-requisite for maritime economy to flourish”.



“The role of Pakistan Navy is deeply embedded in the maritime operationalisation of the CPEC, as it will be required to shoulder greater responsibilities to ensure protection of growing maritime trade and to provide security to our sea lanes,” he underlined.

Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Operations Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi also spoke on the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, he said providing security to the CPEC on land, as well as making its maritime route safe is vital for the success of CPEC-related projects.

Earlier, the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah received the Chief Guest on his arrival. The ceremony was also attended among others by federal ministers, the army chief, the chief of air staff, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has said with joint efforts of security forces, cooperation of the people and positive and impressive policies of the government, “the law and order situation has improved a lot in the province”

“Peace and development have great association with each other, and the government was making all-out efforts to restore complete peace and order in the province for speedy development of Balochistan,” the chief minister said while speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day seminar on the CPEC Socioeconomic Development organised by Pakistan Navy in Gwadar on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was due to inaugurate the seminar but he could not reach Gwadar due to bad weather.

He said the government has created a Special Security Division to ensure security of Gwadar and the CPEC.



“A project to make Gwadar a safe city has already been approved and the required funds have been released,” Zehri announced.

“Gwadar has an important place in the CPEC. Due to its geographical location and the deep seaport, the city is best suited among the ports in the region,” Zehri said.

“East Bay Express Way, Gwadar New International Airport, Pak-China vocational Training Institute, Gwadar Water Supply schemes, 300MW power plant and other projects are also underway, which will help turn Gwadar into an international city.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2016.