Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said militarization of Indian Ocean poses a grave threat to regional peace and security. He was addressing the opening session of seventh international maritime conference in Karachi on Saturday.
Highlighting the significance of the Indian Ocean, Sartaj Aziz said Indian Ocean provides connectivity to the Middle East, Africa and Australia with Europe.
The Adviser said Pakistan has strategic stakes in peaceful navigation of cargoes in the Indian Ocean because of Gwadar Port and CPEC. He said the government is taking all the requisite steps to ensure maritime security in the ocean.
The Adviser emphasized the need for turning the Indian Ocean into a zone of peace and prosperity to benefit the entire region.
Earlier, in his inaugural address on the occasion, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah said that Pakistan Navy is fully capable of dealing with all kinds of challenges. He said Pakistan Navy is cooperating with navies of other countries for the protection of the territorial waters as no country is capable of doing it on their own.
Naval Chief said that a special force has been forced for the security of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port to ensure that it has a positive impact on the country's economy and the country develops.
Addressing the Conference, AJK President Masood Khan said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has furthered the need for augmenting the maritime security. He said all naval forces across the world have a pivotal role in maritime security.
