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Region has become more dangerous since n-blasts: CNS

HYDERABAD: The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza, said here that the demonstration of nuclear weapons' capability by India and Pakistan had made this region more dangerous.

He said the bone of contention between the two countries is, of course, Kashmir which has plagued their relations with mistrust and economic separation.

He was addressing a seminar held by the Institute of International Affairs, Hyderabad (HIIA), on Saturday.

If the outstanding issues between the two countries are not resolved peacefully the situation could get worse, he said.

Adm. Mirza said the strategic importance of the Gulf and Arabian Sea is well known to the world community, particularly the Western powers. The most important trade routes, carrying all goods for international markets as well as almost everything that is either imported or exported from this region passes through the Arabian Sea and over 35,000 ships pass through the Gulf every year.

The Arabian Sea, the CNS said, is vitally important to Pakistan because about 97 percent of Pakistan's trade is carried out via sea.

Pakistan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) covers 240,000 sq km in the Arabian Sea which has a tremendous economic potential. Policing maritime zones, sea resources, marine pollution, drug trafficking and illegal immigration demand a credible naval force to safeguard Pakistan's interests, Adm. Mirza said.

He further said: "Today" is a period of readjustment. The days of colonialism and outright occupation of weaker states ended after the Second World War. This was followed by the period of Russo-American Cold War in which the need for foreign bases under threat of proxy war, or the inducement of military and financial aid divided the world into two camps". He said the Cold War came to an end with the disintegration of the Soviet Union and, with it, military and financial aid to developing nation also stopped.

"What we are left with is independent states, fairly well armed and aspiring for peace and prosperity," he said. In the post-cold war scenario, the emphasis has shifted from confrontation and power blocs to exploitation of commercial interests. "It is perceived that further wars will be fought on geo-economic issues," the Naval Chief pointed out.

The Admiral further said: "The dynamics of the post-cold war era have forced us to re-orientate our maritime perception. It is only now that the present government has taken a decision to rapidly expand the maritime sector by enlarging Pakistan's merchant fleet, increasing the number of sea resources."

In this context, he added, the merchant marines have been given additional incentives, construction of deep-water port at Gwadar has been approved, the fishing fleet is being modernised and offshore exploration has been stepped up.

"These measures will, God-willing, provide an impetus to the development of maritime sector and the economic activities related to the sea," he said.

Earlier in his address of welcome, HIIA Secretary-General Saleem Shaikh highlighted the role and functions of the forum.

The seminar was attended by a large number of intellectuals, journalists and the elite of the city. APP