The inaugural Maritime Security Workshop (MARSEW) concluded Monday at Pakistan Navy War College Lahore. The President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain was chief guest on the occasion. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah was also present at the impressive ceremony besides senior civil and military dignitaries.
Conducted under the banner of "Secure Seas-Prosperous Pakistan" the two week long maritime security workshop was attended by parliamentarians, bureaucrats, academicians and representatives from media and senior officers from the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion President Mamnoon Hussain lauded efforts of Pakistan Navy in organizing the ground-breaking event and termed it as reflection of "forward looking" leadership of Pakistan Navy. He underscored the importance of oceans in twenty first century and specifically appreciated Pakistan Navy for its significant role towards protection of sea frontiers and development of maritime infrastructure. He desired that Pakistan Navy should be given ample resources to spearhead initiatives which shall contribute in overall growth of the country.
"Gwadar port is the maritime terminus of CPEC and it is from here that all commerce will get loaded and off-loaded, fanning out to different destinations via North Arabian Sea and mainland Pakistan," President Mamnoon Hussain said.
While praising Pakistan Navy's efforts and initiatives for ensuring maritime security, the President highlighted that the indispensable and historical contribution of Pakistan Navy in protecting and advancing the cause of national maritime sector cannot be overstated. He further added that Pakistan Navy's initiative of Maritime Security Workshop will return rich dividends in terms of understanding of maritime sector and the wide spread responsibility of Pakistan Navy.
Earlier, a panel of Workshop's participants presented a paper on "Maritime Environment Around Pakistan; How it is Shaped and its Future Outlook." The panel deeply analysed the prevailing Maritime environment in our region and presented policy recommended as way ahead for Pakistan. During the interactive session, the Chief Guest supported the panel's recommendations and appraised the importance of Maritime sector in growth of the country.
While commenting, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zakaullah thanked all the participants for their enthusiastic participation in the workshop. The Naval Chief also appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Navy War College for arranging the maiden Maritime Security Workshop and desired such workshops be organized in future as well.
Commandant Pakistan Navy War College, Rear Admiral Moazzam Ilyas gave a brief run down on the workshop activities. The participants were later awarded certificates by President Mamnoon Hussain.
First of its kind, the Maritime Security Workshop was spread over two weeks; one week on-campus in discussions on maritime potential of Pakistan, the maritime environment, blue economy, and national maritime policy and strategy. A brief overview was also given to the participants on the under development, "Maritime Doctrine of Pakistan". During the second week the workshop participants visited Navy installations and units at Karachi, Coastal and Creeks areas for orientation and familiarization. -PR
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