Abbasi becomes first Pakistan PM to board submarine in open sea

PM presented with Pakistan Navy's traditional insignia of ‘Dolphin’, the first premier to receive this...

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi became the first prime minister of the country to board a submarine in the open sea, and also conduct diving and surfacing procedures after which he earned the traditional Dolphin insignia of the navy, which is bestowed upon submariners.

The premier made his maiden voyage onboard the PN Saad (submarine) along with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, said a press release issued on Sunday.

During his visit, PM Abbasi was briefed on the history of Pakistan Navy’s submarine force and achievements made by this elite force during the 1965 and 1971 wars.



The premier also performed different procedures including submarine diving.



He was presented with Pakistan Navy's traditional insignia of ‘Dolphin’, the first prime minister of the country to have received this distinction.



The PM on his final day of his three-day trip to Karachi also witnessed different operational exercises conducted at the sea. The prime minister expressed his utmost satisfaction on the operational preparedness of Pakistan Navy.

During his activity-packed visit to the sea, the premier said: "I feel reassured that Pakistan Navy is fully committed and ready to effectively protect our maritime frontiers, including Gwadar Port and CPEC projects against all challenges and threats.”

The prime minister also interacted with officers and men and praised their morale and dedication for defending the maritime frontiers under a challenging environment.

Premier Abbasi witnessed the operational exercises from Pakistan Navy Ship NASR. Upon arrival onboard, he was welcomed by naval chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. Aboard the ship the prime minister was briefed on the overall conduct of operational demonstration.



The exercises seen by the prime minister included, replenishment of men and material from one ship to another, rocket depth charge firing by ship & aircraft and helicopter-borne board, search & seizure.

Abbasi, on his visit was also presented with an impressive fly-past by various aircraft and helicopters. In the end, all participating ships carried out skim-past in a column formation and presented the ‘Qaumi Naraa’ to the premier.

After reviewing the operational demonstrations by navy’s fleet combatants, the PM arrived at Jinnah Naval Base Ormara, where he visited the base facilities/installations including Remote Data Station MIANWALI.

The premier expressed his satisfaction over the operational preparedness of naval defence facilities. He also lauded the social development initiatives undertaken by the navy, along the Makran coastal belt, especially in health and education sector which he stated will go a long way in socio-economic alleviation of the local population of Balochistan.