One Year after ‘Marka-e-Haq’, Pakistan Navy vows stronger defence against aggression

ISLAMABAD — Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf reaffirmed Pakistan Navy’s resolve to strengthen its defences against emerging threats. Speaking at the Command & Staff Conference, he highlighted lessons from the May 2025 conflict, stressing enhanced combat readiness, advanced technology acquisition, and a continued commitment to safeguarding regional maritime stability. Chairing Pakistan Navy’s Command & Staff Conference, attended by top commanders and senior officials, the naval chief oversaw a sweeping review of operational preparedness, with a sharp focus on evolving regional security dynamics. According to ISPR, the forum aligned strategic priorities to confront mounting maritime challenges head-on. Amid tensions in Middle East, Admiral Ashraf raised serious concerns over the safety of global shipping routes, warning that freedom of navigation and critical Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) are increasingly at risk. He pointed to rising instability around key maritime chokepoints, describing the situation as volatile and potentially disruptive to international trade and security. CNS underscored the urgent need for Pakistan Navy to acquire cutting-edge, niche technologies, calling them indispensable for maintaining a strategic edge in modern warfare. Reaffirming Pakistan’s role as a stabilizing force, he highlighted the Navy’s ongoing presence in the Gulf of Oman, assuring the global maritime community of its commitment to safeguarding regional peace and secure sea lanes. The conference also carried emotional weight as it marked the first anniversary of Operation Marka-e-Haq. Paying tribute to the sacrifices made during the May 2025 conflict, Admiral Ashraf hailed them as a powerful symbol of national unity and unwavering resistance against aggression. Pakistan Navy aids stranded ship with Indian, Indonesian crew