Karachi [Pakistan], Feb. 11 : The multinational 'Aman-17' naval exercise kicked off in Karachi on Friday morning with 37 countries, including Pakistan, taking part in the four-day long event.
The commander of Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini who was the chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the exercise by hoisting national flag at Karachi dockyard reports Radio Pakistan.
The Vice Admiral said that the exercise will help in competing human trafficking, smuggling of narcotics and terrorism in the region.
In all other 36 countries including Australia, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, UK, USA, Japan and Russia are participating in the exercise.
In a message on the occasion, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan being a major stakeholder in maritime security of Arabian Sea is fully committed to ensuring freedom of navigation and lawful maritime order.
He said through AMAN series of Exercises, Pakistan Navy has been able to act as a bridge in the maritime domain by bringing together the Navies of East and West on one platform.
Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan's geo-strategic prominence capitalized with the launching of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, will become a 'game changer' for the region.
Source: ANI
