Multinational 'Aman-17' naval exercise begins in Karachi

The multinational 'Aman-17' naval exercise with 37 countries, including Pakistan, began in the Arabian Sea near Karachi on Friday.

Nine of the participating nations, including Australia, China, Indonesia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and Russia, are taking part with naval assets.

The aim of the exercise is to display united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain.

The naval exercise is has been held in Pakistan every alternate year since 2007.

The naval exercise was inaugurated by Commander of the Pakistani Fleet, Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini at the Karachi dockyard, reports the Dawn.

He was also the chief guest on the occasion.

Vice Admiral said Hussaini that the Pakistan Navy has played an important role in ensuring safe passage of cargo ships in the region and the exercise would help work against human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and terrorism in the region.

Extending a warm welcome to all participants, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan is fully committed to ensuring freedom of navigation and lawful maritime order as it is a major stakeholder for maritime security in the Arabian Sea.

Sharif underlined that cooperation between international navies is essential to countering emerging threats.