KARACHI : Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abassi has said thatsafeguarding national interests and maintaining defense sovereignty are topmost priorities of the government.

Addressing the passing out parade of 109th midshipmen and 18th shortservice course at Pakistan Naval academy in Karachi on Saturday, he saidestablishment of regional maritime patrols has been decided which will helpin controlling piracy, smuggling and terrorism in oceans.

He said Pakistan is peace loving country and desires peaceful coexistencewith neighbors but its desire for peace should not be taken as its weakness.

He said Pakistan Navy is well aware emerging challenges and fully capableto affectively deal with it.

He said security of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar portwill be ensured and task force 88 has been established in this regard.

He said Pakistan Navy is being strengthening on modern linestechnologically. Earlier commandant Pakistan Naval academy commodore SyedFaisal Hameed in his address presented the performance of academy.