President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday said Pakistan is facing multitude of internal and external challenges which necessitate a ‘whole of nation approach’.
Speaking as chief guest here at the opening session of Pakistan Navy war game Shamsheer-e-Bahr VII and logistic exercise Tarseel-e-Bahar II, the president highlighted that the illegitimate revocation of articles 370 and 35-A from Indian constitution by the Modi-led government has engendered massive unrest in Indian-held Kashmir and raised serious concerns in Pakistan. “Indian attempt to enforce fascist control over Kashmir has serious implications towards internal security situation in the valley and resultantly on the security in South Asia and the world at large,” he said. “Pakistan will continue to fiercely contest and expose Indian atrocities in Kashmir politically and diplomatically at all possible levels till resolution of Kashmir issue in the light of UNSC resolutions,” he pledged.
While underscoring the fact that economic wellbeing of Pakistan is linked with the freedom of navigation through seas, President Alvi said, “Prosperity of our people is intrinsically linked to the security of our sea lines of communication which will add to the responsibilities of Pakistan Navy in ensuring unhindered flow of traffic in our waters.”
President Alvi appreciated the stocktaking and thought-provoking presentations by force commanders, which will help in crystallizing the plans for maritime security and seaward defence of Pakistan. He particularly emphasized Pakistan’s increasing relevance in the backdrop of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and operationalization of Gwadar port. Underlining the significance of war games in military planning process, he expressed his desire to see valuable lessons and recommendations at the end of the war game.
The event was attended by a large number of high-ranking armed forces officers besides bureaucrats and representatives of federal ministries.
Earlier upon arrival, President Alvi was received by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) Rear Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi presented an overview of the war game, outlining objectives set forth and concepts to be tried. He highlighted that being a tri-service event with representation of relevant ministries, Shamsheer-e-Bahr VII is the flagship war game of Pakistan Navy that is held biennially to try various concepts which are then validated in subsequent navy-wide field exercises before being incorporated into the naval strategy.
