ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Karachi on a daylong visit to inspect a joint naval exercise organized by the Pakistan Navy in which more than 50 countries, including Saudi Arabia, are participating, said the PM Office in a statement on Tuesday.
The Pakistan Navy has conducted the multinational maritime AMAN exercise every two years since 2007. The five-day exercise began in Karachi on Friday, involving ships, aircraft, special operation forces, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) marine teams and observers from participating countries.
“The main objective of these exercises, which are held every two years, is to develop an effective joint strategy against pirates, terrorists, drug and arms smugglers,” the PM Office said. “On this occasion, the Prime Minister will witness a demonstration of joint action against pirates and also observe other naval exercises and professional skills.”
The sea phase of the exercise involved tactical maneuvers to bolster maritime security against piracy and terrorism while practicing search and rescue activities.
AMAN-23 also included seminars and operational discussions in the harbor phase on various dimensions of naval operations.
A team of special operation forces from Saudi Arabia also participated in the exercise along with members of other Arab countries, such as Kuwait and Oman.
