Islamabad, During a recent visit to the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif engaged in comprehensive discussions with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf on various aspects of maritime security and the operational readiness of the Pakistan Navy.

According to Pakistan Navy, the visit highlighted the ongoing and future modernization efforts of the naval forces, with Admiral Ashraf briefing the Defence Minister on the navy’s roles, capabilities, and strategic acquisitions aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s maritime defense. The discussions also covered the regional maritime security landscape and the challenges confronted by the Pakistan Navy in maintaining a robust defense posture.

A detailed presentation given by the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) elaborated on the current maritime environment, the obstacles faced by the naval forces, and the strategic responses formulated to address these challenges. Recommendations were made to the Defence Minister focusing on enhancing the naval capabilities and promoting the maritime sector, particularly the Blue Economy, as a means to rejuvenate the national economy.

The Defence Minister expressed his recognition of the pivotal role played by the Pakistan Navy in protecting the maritime interests of the country and assured of his Ministry’s commitment to providing the necessary support to the Navy amidst economic challenges. This visit underscores the government’s prioritization of maritime security and naval modernization in its defense strategy.