Pakistan Navy's special 'Task Force-88' set up to guard Gwadar port’s sea lanes

GWADAR - Naval chief Admiral Zakaullah has said that Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be a game-changer that would result in economic dividends not only for China and Pakistan but also for the entire region. He also stated  that a strong navy is highly important for the security of the economic corridor.

He made these remarks during an address at the International Maritime Conference on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) held at Gwadar on Tuesday to commission the TF-88 force.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was due to attend the conference but his flight from Lahore was delayed due to dense fog, according to Admiral Zakaullah.

The Naval chief said that Pakistan Navy has established a special task force TF-88 for the protection of Gwadar Port. The task force was established after the port became functional, in order to provide protection from both formal and informal threats. He added that this special task force consisted of speedboats, and planes for aerial supervision and drones.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Hayat, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri attended the conference.