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The collaboration between Pakistani and Qatari naval forces is at an all-time high with the number of Pakistani personnel on deputation reaching around 170, Pakistan Navy’s Rear Admiral M Amjad, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Training & Evaluation) said yesterday.
In an interview with Gulf Times, the senior official said that due to the close relations between the two countries, Pakistan Navy was consistently participating in the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex) since 2008.
Pakistan Navy has brought three naval ships PNS Alamgir, PNS Quwwat, PNS Rasadgar and one submarine PNS M Hashmat to Dimdex 2014.
“The collaboration between our two navies is excellent and very high. Our men, both serving and retired are on deputation at the Qatari naval forces that number around 170 people,” Amjad said.
“The Qatari navy and air force chiefs have told me that they are totally satisfied with the quality of manpower we have sent here to serve in Qatar. They regard them very highly and have indicated their interest to ask for more officers and sailors in the future. We have assured them of our co-operation to whatever extent it is possible,” he added.
The navy officer said that Pakistan could offer a lot in terms of training and degree courses to Qatari military personnel. “They have asked already for training of their aviation crew, including their helicopter observers.”
Pakistan Navy’s Rear Admiral M Amjad,
Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
(Training & Evaluation). Photo by Salman Siddiqui
About Pakistan’s role in promoting maritime security, he said that Pakistan Navy was part of the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan since April 2004. “We have participated with about 50 ships and have also contributed with aircraft. Our co-operation has been unbroken and every year we have made major contributions,” he said.
He spoke about the successes in anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations in the Horn of Africa. Also, he highlighted the fact that the navy had provided manpower and commanded several times the task force 150 and the Combined Task Force 151.
“Pakistan’s location at the mouth of the Gulf is very strategic. It is imperative for us to keep very good relations with all the countries in this region,” he said.
About the Gwadar port in Balochistan province, he dispelled the reports that claim that it was a military venture between Pakistan and China. “Gwadar is our national requirement because we have only two ports that are in close proximity of our arch enemy. So, we needed a port at a considerable distance that would service our commercial requirements. At present, we don’t see any military role being played from Gwadar, which exists purely for the sake of safer trade, shorter routes and in our national interest.”
Earlier yesterday, Zain Zulfiquar, Mission Commander of PNS Alamgir, PNS Quwwat, PNS Rasadgar and PNS M Hashmat gave a briefing to visitors.
He said that it was in Pakistan’s interest that sea lines of communication emanating from the Strait of Hormuz and across Horn of Africa remain secure. “Pakistan shares the international will and desire to eradicate piracy…it stands ready to make its contributions in these efforts.”