ISLAMABAD – Rising in stature day-by-day, and occupying an honour place inthe list of world Navies, Pakistan Navy has occupied a front rowparticipant in international and regional maritime security and peaceendeavours.
Shouldering international obligations in the realm of Maritime Security hasalways been on top priority for Pakistan Navy. If it is said that, PakistanNavy ships, aircraft and men remained committed with multinational CombinedMaritime Forces (CMF) for over fourteen years and are still a part of CMF,it will not be wrong.
Since year 2004, Pakistan Navy contributed with 1 to 2 Destroyers/Frigateswith embarked helicopters in Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan’ which is themaritime component of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Similarly, PakistanNavy also joined Counter Piracy Task Force 151 in 2009 and CTF 150 in 2006,and remained a fundamental contributor in the global efforts againstPiracy. In numerical terms, 100s PN Ships rendered services in CombinedMaritime Forces Operations for maintenance of security and stability inIndian Ocean Region.
With a cherishable history of huge contributions to support order inmaritime arena, Pakistan Navy is recognized as a key upholder ofinternational maritime laws in the region.
Furthering these pursuits in the wake of recent politico-strategicdevelopments and to pursue national interests with strategic autonomy,Pakistan Navy has decided to institute Regional Maritime Security Patrols(RMSP) in areas of interest particularly Southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden,Gulf of Oman and Choke points off Maldives.
The concept of RMSP seeks to conduct Maritime Security Patrols in criticalmaritime areas/choke points within Indian Ocean Region in order to maintaina robust security posture and protect national and international shippingwhile ensuring freedom of navigation at high seas according tointernational laws.In broad terms, RMSP would contribute in projecting Pakistan as aresponsible state shouldering Regional Maritime Security.
Additionally, the RMSP will enable PN to protect National and Internationalshipping plying along lndian Ocean Region against threats of Piracy,Maritime Terrorism, Narco arms smuggling and human trafficking etc. RMSPwill also help in generating rapid support to contingencies likeHumanitarian Assistance, Search and Rescue and Non Combatant EvacuationOperations in times of need.
Lauding the efforts, during the address to 109th Midshipmen commissioningparade Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said that in orderto pursue our national interests with strategic autonomy, we have nowdecided to institute Regional Maritime Security Patrols, independently, inthe Indian Ocean Region.
The Regional Maritime Security Patrol initiative is in line with the UNResolutions and UN Convention on Law of the Sea. The initiative is aimed atmaintaining robust security posture in the critical sea areas and chokepoints in the Indian Ocean Region for protection of national andinternational shipping against the threats of maritime terrorism, piracy,narco-arms smuggling and human trafficking etc.
BY: Salahudsin Haider