ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi says Pakistan is fully committed to cooperate on maritime issues of global concern.
Inaugurating 13th meeting of Heads of Asian Coast Guards Agencies in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said that Pakistan is also committed to maintain good order at sea.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan’s efforts include wide ranging maritime initiatives, continued participation and command of multi-national task forces and regular hosting of ‘Amn’ series of exercises. These are manifestation of Pakistan’s focused attention on maritime affairs.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Pakistan’s participation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka and evacuation of foreign nationals from Yemen reflect capabilities of its naval forces.
Highlighting the significance of oceans for trade and transportation, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that as dependence on the waters continues to increase, it is important to ensure security of maritime resources and sea lanes.
He said security of sea lanes is important as more than ninety five percent of our trade is through sea.
He pointed out terrorism, illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons, humans, illegal fishing and environmental degradation are issues of concern for every state. He expressed the confidence that the participating countries of the moot will continue to work together in confronting these challenges.
In his welcome address, Director General Maritime Security Agency Jamil Akhtar said the meeting of Asian Coast Guards Agencies provides an excellent forum to learn from each other’s experiences and build capacity of maritime agencies.
Delegates from 13 countries are attending the moot.
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