China hands over two ships to Pakistan Navy

China handed over the two ships to the Pakistan Navy on Saturday for joint security along the sea route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Dawn News reported. 

The Gwadar port in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province has been developed under CPEC linking western China through Pakistan with the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The ships, named after two rivers Hingol and Basol near Gwadar, were received by Commander of the Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini. 

Equipped with state-of-theart guns, the ships will be part of Pakistan Navy and also used to protect the sea-lanes in the Arabian Sea. A ceremony was held in Gwadar where Chinese officials, handed them over to their Pakistani counterparts. Director General of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency Rear Admiral Jamil Akhter, Commander West Commodore Mohammad Waris and top naval and civilian officials were present on the occasion. 

“The Chinese ships have become part of the Pak Navy from today,” Vice Admiral Hussaini said, adding that the navy would become stronger with the induction of the ships. He termed the induction of the Chinese ships into the Pak Navy as a “historic moment” and said the ships would be deployed for the security of the Gwadar port and the sea route of the CPEC. 

The Chinese government will provide two more ships to Pakistan Navy which have been named Dasht and Zhob after two districts in Balochistan. China is extending help and cooperation to Pakistan for security along the CPEC’s land and sea routes. Pakistan has already raised a new division of the army to ensure security along the CPEC route and in and around the Gwadar port. 

Security of Gwadar city has been handed over to the army’s new division raised during the tenure of former army chief Gen Raheel Sharif.