Aman-11 navy exercises: Joint efforts urged in fight against piracy, maritime terrorism

Delegations of other countries resolve to assist Pakistan.

KARACHI:

Pakistan wants increased cooperation with all nations in view of the rising threat of piracy and terrorism faced in the North Arabian Sea, Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Abbas Raza, said on Tuesday.

Speaking to journalists at the inaugural ceremony of the Aman-11 navy exercise at Dockyard, Raza said that the resource-rich sea is of mutual importance to the region and stability on its waters can be achieved through a cohesive and comprehensive approach. “Piracy off the Somalian coast and the Red sea is spreading,” he said, adding that pirates are using advanced technological techniques for which world navies “need to keep up the pace and innovation to counter them.”

The ‘Aman-11, together for peace’ naval exercises are the third of their kind, the first of which were held in 2007 and the second in 2009. Other countries participating in the initiative include Australia, China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States.

Addressing the foreign delegation of naval commanders and officers, Vice Admiral Raza said the reasons behind the activity include the need to devise a strategy to deal with an increase in crime and threat of terrorism, improving procedural issues and operations through learning of skills, and to show other nations that Pakistan is a responsible state mindful of peace and regional stability.

Laying emphasis on the Arabian Sea, he said that 30 to 40 per cent of the energy needs are met through the resources extracted from it. “With an increase in demand, this figure will rise to 60 per cent,” he said. “The number is significant enough for the naval headquarters to consider its relations with the Pakistan Naval Shipping Organisation, Coast Guard and others in order to take measures to counter the threat of piracy on these waters,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, commander of the Australian delegation Greg Sammut said Australia values its relationship with Pakistan and wishes to play a strong role in preventing terrorism from spreading. Saying it is proud of its “strong friendship” with the Pakistan Navy, French Captain Guillauma Chove agreed that improvement of security on the seas cannot be achieved by a single nation. Third time participant China was represented by Senior Captain Han Xao Hu who called for “cooperation on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.”

Meanwhile, a display of assets, skills and capabilities was put together later on Tuesday afternoon as part of the Pakistan Maritime Counter-terrorism demonstration. It began with a display of some of Pakistan’s naval assets including boats, hovercrafts and helicopters.

Also a counter-terrorism demonstration was executed involving terrorists taking people hostage and finding refuge in a safe house on the beach. The teams displayed their skill in rescuing the hostages and hand over the area to the marine security teams.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2011.