'Aman-2009 takes Pakistan into naval diplomacy era’: The News

KARACHI: Pakistan Navy’s multinational Naval Peace Exercise "Aman 09" began here on Thursday.

According to Pakistan Navy spokesman, formal inauguration of “Aman 09” will take place at Karachi Dockyard in evening.

The navies of 38 countries of the region and the world are participating in these exercises. Out of these 38 countries, the naval forces of 11 countries are going to actively participate in the exercises with their battleships, maritime aircraft, sailors, and other special forces. The international maritime manoeuvres will continue till March 14.

The spokesman said that extensive briefing and debriefing sessions would be held before and after the main sea manoeuvres phase of the exercise in order to enhance understanding and information regarding operations of different navies among the participants. Bahria University will also hold an international maritime conference on the sidelines of the Aman exercise.

He said that geographically Pakistan is located at an important maritime location where its naval forces have been operating at the frontlines to combat international sea menaces of pirates, drug and human trafficking, and terrorism.

He said the epicentre of the international maritime threat in the shape of pirates had moved closer to the region, and the Pakistan Navy has to spare its assets to actively participate in international naval operations against the pirates operating near the Gulf of Aden.

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