Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Khan Hasham bin Saddique has said that Pakistan Navy is fully ready to defend the country and it would give a befitting reply to enemy in case of any misadventure. He stated this while talking to media at one-day international seminar on "Marine Pollution due to Oil Spill and its Response Mechanism," organized by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency at a local hotel, here on Tuesday.
The seminar was organized to discuss the issues related to pollution of marine water due to spillage of oil from ships expressed grave concerns over growing marine pollution and asked preventive measures to keep ports and sea clean. Earlier, while speaking at the seminar, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff said that 87 percent sewerage water is let to discharge into the sea, untreated. All entities would have to play due role to improve sewerage disposal system and resolve other related civic issues.
He said proper treatment of sewerage water is must and in this regard modern technology should be fully utilised. He said that serious steps are needed to check the marine pollution. He said the federal and provincial governments, related departments; Karachi Port Trust, KMC and KWSB have to come on same page to resolve this issue. He said that Pakistan Navy is fully aware of its responsibilities in this regard.
"We are here to play our due role as and when needed", he added.
Earlier, Director General of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Real Admiral Jameel Akhtar in his address said that public awareness is necessary to reduce marine pollution. He said during the current year marine life is being affected by 60 percent due to marine pollution. This issue should be tackled seriously at every level. Chairman KPT, Vice Admiral Shafqat Javed (Retd) said that to improve the marine environment is the need of the hour.
He said the KPT has always played its due role in this regard. He said all stakeholders have to discharge their respective responsibilities to keep marine life thriving and safe. On the occasion, Owant Amri from Turkey, Yahiya Usmani from Marine Academy, Shahid Lutfi and Muhammad Moazzam Khan gave awareness briefing and answered the questions of the audience. Later, the DG PMSA presented the shields to Vice Naval Chief and the Chairman KPT.