20000101

Geo-economics holding centre-stage in present hard times: Adm Mirza

KARACHI: The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza, has said that Pakistan is passing through a challenging time.

"The scenario remains fluid and geo-economics have assumed the centre-stage, putting all other factors aside," he said while addressing the Pakistan Navy Fleet Efficiency Competition Parade 1999 held at PN Dockyard here on Friday.

Adm Mirza said that despite economic crunch, the standard of morale and exhibition of "Jazba-i-Shahadat' (spirit of martyrdom) witnessed during the Kargil crisis was exceptionally significant.

"Whereas we may not match our adversary in numbers, we can certainly make it up through quality training and high stage of operational preparedness," he added.

Commenting on the self-reliance programme of Pakistan Navy the Naval chief said that the induction of 'Shujaat' and the commissioning of first 'Agosta-90B' class submarine, 'Khalid' 'are significant milestones in our quest for self-reliance' and the pledge to keep the submarine service at the cutting edge of technology.

He further said "Today, we stand at the threshold of the new millennium. It is an appropriate occasion to review the operational readiness of the fleet in the background of the regional geo-political scenario."

In his address of welcome, commander, Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Gul Zaman Malik, presented a brief review about the operational state, preparedness and maintenance of the fleet during 1999.

He said that the high level of preparedness maintained by the fleet during the Kargil crisis "reassured our confidence in our men and material".

About the present state of Type-21 ships he said that any adversary would have to think twice "before engaging us" in a surface to surface encounter.

He said that the recent goodwill cruises of PNS "Tariq" and "Nasir" to Bangladesh and Malaysia were successful flag showing operations. The cruises also helped in improving the bilateral relations between the two countries, he added.

The Chief of the Naval Staff gave away the Fleet Annual Efficiency awards to the winners. PNS Khaiber won the Desron-25 efficiency award whereas PNS Shamsher won the Desron-18 efficiency award.

Moawin and 111 Sqn won Auxron-42 and Aviation awards respectively. Subron-5, Patron-10 and best supporting units awards went to Hangor, Jalalat and Gwadar respectively.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of serving and retired naval officers, and sailors.ÑAPP