Courtesy: PN History Cell

In 1979, four Type 24 Missile Boats were acquired from China. These boats were commissioned on 24 September 1981 by the then President of Pakistan, General Zia-ul-Haq as Pakistan Navy Ships SHUJAAT, JURRAT, HAIBAT, and JALALAT. Following were the first Commanding Officers of these boats:

» Lt Asad Manzoor PN (later Captain PN) » Lt Bakhtiar Mohsin PN (later Rear Admiral) » Lt Salim A Sheikh PN (later Commander PN) » Lt Frank Joseph PN

These boats carried two launchers for Shangyo class (SY I) surface-to-surface missile and had two 25 mm guns. With a cruising range of 520 kilometers at an economical speed of 26 knots, these boats could be well used for the defence of the coastal areas and even a little beyond. The PLA (Navy) dispatched a forty-four member Missile Technical Team to Pakistan for the operational training, missile maintenance, stowage, inspections, base maintenance, overhaul and support for stores and equipment.

The first test firing of SY-I missile was conducted on 13 February 1982. Ex PNS JAHANGIR, then in reserve, was used as a target and successfully hit by the missile and sunk. The firing was witnessed by General M Iqbal, (then Chairman JCSC) , Admiral K R Niazi, (then CNS) , and other senior officers.

PNS JALALAT

Type 21 - Missile Boat with four missiles

The Indus Delta’s Perennial Perils

Pakistan Navy – An Epitome of Peace and Co-operation in the IOR

Sea Sentinels

Pakistan Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy’s 1st ever Bilateral Naval Exercise & Italian Navy Ship’s good will visit to Pakistan

Soft Power and its efficacy in contemporary environment

PN Annual Safety Review

100 Days

An Article by Rear Admiral (Rtd) Pervaiz Asghar

An Article byUsman Ansari

An Article byBrig (Rtd) Rashid Wali Janjua

An Article byLt Syed M Osama PN

An Article byJennifer McKay

Reports

A Report

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ContentsApril 2017 Vol. 30 Issue. 3ABC Certified - Reg # 16(1381)/15-ABS

NAVYNEWS

Public Relations Directorate (Navy)Naval Headquarters Islamabad

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The Indus Delta’sPerennial Perils

Rear Admiral (Rtd) Pervaiz Asghar

The most significant feature of Pakistan’s coastline is not the hammerhead of Gwadar jutting

out majestically into the sea but the Indus Delta region covering the entire south western swathe of the coast. This topographical landmark is prominent from an ecological angle also as around 25 creeks drain into its 150 km wide mouth, with the port city of Karachi continuously intruding into its western extremity.

This delta used to be historically interspersed with thousands of natural river courses, which braided with smaller tributaries, formed a natural yet intricate drainage system. However, since the British era when this irrigation and drainage system had been conceived and executed, things have gone from bad to worse. Most of these waterways, hardly

10% of which are lined, now stand abandoned, afflicted by the ravages of time, nature and plain outright neglect. Construction work undertaken over decades, inclusive of irrigation canals, road networks and illegal settlements, played no small part in the obstruction of these dhoras as they are locally referred to.

Such obstructions, along with an attendant lack of drainage capacity, have made the delta vulnerable to the multiple scourges of sea intrusion, salinity, water-logging and flooding. These calamities have together combined to lay waste millions of acres of prime agricultural land and deprived the area of its freshwater fishing sanctuaries.

The combined impact on the local communities, which were

completely dependent on these once-flourishing agricultural lands and freshwater lakes for their livelihood, was nothing short of catastrophic. Most of the people have been forced to relocate to seek alternate work. Those who chose to remain are plagued with malnutrition and climate sensitive diseases, with healthcare facilities virtually non-existent.

All problems which stalk this unfortunate land are ironically interlinked. A near absence of waste treatment facilities in industries, hospitals and municipalities gives rise to all types of toxic and chemical polluting agents. Drastically reduced freshwater flows downstream of Kotri, throttled to near zero for almost nine months of the year, result in widespread deforestation of the largest arid climate

ADMIRAL’S LOG

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mangroves in the world, while preventing the flushing out of the accumulated impurities at the same time. A mangrove forest is nature’s gift to the coastal environment. Apart from acting as a bulwark against natural disasters, it serves as a life sustaining ecosystem for nourishing all types of flora and fauna. It is an invaluable source of nutrients as well for both freshwater and marine fisheries. Its roots provide a natural protection against coastal erosion, retarding the process through their ability to hold the soil together by trapping suspended particles. The lack of a natural freshwater flushing mechanism, so vital to preserving their health, has resulted in wiping out almost all the luxuriant mangrove species except for the most salt tolerant one, Avicennia Marina.

On a positive note, organisations like the International Union for the Conservation of Nature(IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund Pakistan (WWF-P) keep prodding stakeholders like the Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, the Sindh forest department and the Pakistan Navy towards a mangrove preservation and revival program. IUCNs partnership-based regional initiative Mangroves for the Future (MFF) is playing an active role in addressing such challenges to Pakistan’s fragile coastal ecosystem.

As an active member of MFFs National Coordinating Body, the Pakistan Navy is doing whatever it can to improve environmental awareness as a prerequisite to combatting pollution. It has set up a Reed Bed Sewage Treatment Plant at Manora to help reduce marine pollution and more importantly, it is spearheading a campaign to generate awareness of environmental issues, starting with PN’s own personnel.

As an active member of MFFs National Coordinating Body, the Pakistan Navy is doing whatever i t can to improve environmental awareness as a prerequisi te to combating pollution. I t has set up a Reed Bed Sewage Treatment Plant at Manora to help reduce marine pollution and more importantly, i t is spearheading a campaign to generate awareness of environmental issues, start ing with PN’s own personnel. PN has also accomplished the target i t had set for i tself for plantation of a mill ion mangroves in the coastal areas of Sindh and Baluchistan within an incredible period of three months.

ADMIRAL’S LOG

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ADMIRAL’S LOG

PN has also accomplished the target it had set for itself for plantation of a million mangroves in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan within an incredible period of three months. It is however distressing to note that the British era irrigation and drainage system has not been improved upon, while polluting influences in terms of saline seepage, saline groundwater, excess irrigation water, rainfall run-off, industrial effluents and municipal waste have increased manifold. The solution proposed and executed by the World Bank was to create a Left Bank Outfall Drain. The idea faltered because of a very basic and avoidable design flaw: the 41 km long Tidal Link meant to drain the water into the sea was built at a lower level as compared to the sea it was supposed to discharge into. So not only are the pollutants and saline-laden water being pushed back, the periodical floods that occur wreak maximum devastation by spreading impurities all over the low-lying deltaic plain.

In addition, our apparent inability and possibly the will to keep pollution in check in Karachi’s urban environment results in unimaginable amounts of waste products through domestic, commercial, industrial and hospital sources all being unceremoniously dumped into the Arabian Sea, as if it was some type of a giant garbage bin. Karachi harbour, where till the early seventies at least, dolphins and fishing tackles were a common sight, is now a wasteland, polluted to an extent that not even a single National Environmental Quality Standard can be met. The extraordinary levels of toxic elements like chromium, lead, chlorides and sulphates, coupled with the low

conductivity experienced forms a corrosive mix that apart from decimating all types of marine life, whittles away at the submerged port infrastructure and causes extensive damage to ships berthed inside the harbour. This accelerated corrosion of ships’ hulls as well as seawater-based machinery and pumps has a huge impact on naval vessels, reducing their lifespan by as much as 50% and drastically enhancing their preservation and maintenance costs. Presence of solid waste and plastic bags in the water tends to choke seawater intakes resulting in more frequent machinery failures.

Though control of pollution in Karachi harbour is the preserve of Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, the Pakistan Navy, smarting under its massive impact, lobbied hard with the Senate Standing Committee on Defence Production to reactivate the Marine Pollution Control Board, which during its formative years i.e. 1994-99 under the chairmanship of the Chief of Naval Staff had made substantive progress in combatting marine pollution. Regrettably though, despite the PN’s best efforts, the Board again went into a hibernation mode soon after being reconstituted in 2009.

As a supplementary measure, an indigenously constructed mechanised Debris Collection Boat is being used to collect solid waste floating around the warships. Another locally constructed multipurpose barge is being utilised for collection of oily compensating water secreted by submarines in harbour. After our organisational, operational and functional inadequacies stood exposed during the Tasman Spirit oil spill disaster of 2003, the Pakistan Navy took the initiative

of formulating a National Marine Disaster Contingency Plan. The experience gleaned from the conduct of simulated oil spill exercises involving the active participation of other associated stakeholders like Maritime Security Agency, port authorities and oil marketing companies has enabled Naval Headquarters to go in for the Plan’s update.

The obvious solution which has somehow evaded everyone’s notice is to invest in the setting up and maintenance of sewage treatment plants for the safe disposal of waste. A few companies are indeed collecting trash for free from some military establishments for generating electricity. Other municipal authorities may do well to profit from such enterprises too. Hospitals and industries likewise need to be pressurised by the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure safe disposal of their toxic and unhygienic waste products.

We are unfortunately living in a dreary present where everything we touch, eat or drink is tainted in some way or other. The impurities laden seawater has already intruded upto 70 km inland in places and is on the verge of encroaching upon the vegetable basket of Karachi, Malir. The sort of legacy we want to pass on to our coming generations is in our hands. Will we rise to the occasion by harnessing the forces of nature towards a shared goal of health and prosperity or should we continue to give it free rein to devastate our living resources? The future can only belong to us if we join hands to eliminate the perils that dog this land of plenty.

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Pakistan Navy is one of the powerful and experienced navies indigenous to the Indian

Ocean. It has played its full part in ensuring peace and co-operation in the Indian Ocean Region, and continues to strive to do so. Though on an individual basis, it is the main guarantor of stability in the northern reaches of Arabian Sea that carry the energy and maritime trade links to and from the Gulf; the most high profile examples of the Pakistan Navy efforts to ensure regional peace and stability have come during instances of co-operation with other navies. Indeed, today its contribution to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) security endeavour through missions CTF-150 (established to counter

terrorism and illegal use of the sea), and CTF-151 (an Anti-piracy Task Force), are probably its most high profile. CMF is quite unique in being comprised of 30 nations all making entirely voluntary contributions. Pakistan’s contributions to CTF-150 and CTF-151 (both of which are regularly commanded by Pakistan Navy) have been maintained despite a shortfall in the number of warships, an indication of just how important Pakistan Navy considers its contribution to regional peace and stability.

A testament to Pakistan Navy individual contribution and the effectiveness of the overall co-operative effort is reflected in the fact that though the region continues to experience instability,

the situation at sea is calm, with the free movement of shipping. It is therefore valid to highlight Pakistan Navy contributions in this overall effort considering its longstanding commitment. In September 2001, Pakistan found itself drawn into the maelstrom of the war on terror as a front line state, and there was an obvious maritime dimension.

The intervention in Afghanistan saw a vast array of naval power arrayed in the Arabian Sea to support the operation, but there was also a need to stop any terrorists fleeing Afghanistan and gaining access to the sea from where they could escape to the Gulf and beyond. The attack on the French registered oil super

MARITIME AFFAIRS

Pakistan Navy – An Epitome of Peace and Co-operation in the IOR

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tanker Limburg in October 2002 as she tried to enter the Yemeni port of Aden brutally reinforced the vulnerability of regional shipping, and also the cost this could have to the global economy (as indeed was the aim of the attack).

If maritime choke points and ports could not be secured, if the safety of ships at sea could not be guaranteed, the global economy would suffer greatly. The Arabian Sea and surrounding waters were deemed particularly at risk due to the energy bearing maritime trade routes emanating from the Gulf. The entire region had to be secured, but this was by no means an easy task as it was far too large to be protected and patrolled by any single navy. CTF-150 actually started life as a US Navy Task Force, but was transformed in 2002 into a multinational force mainly comprising US and some European NATO allies plus Japan.

Pakistan Navy joined the CTF-150 in 2004 and has since been a key

member, first taking Command of the CTF-150 in 2006, and subsequently commanding the force nine times till to date.CTF-150 is responsible for an area that includes some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes (transporting a third of the world’s oil) that covers over two million square miles, and encompasses the Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the North Arabian Sea. Familiarity with the region made Pakistan Navy an essential participant in CTF-150.

Indeed, during Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah’s recent visit to Bahrain was much asserted by the commander US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Vice Admiral Kevin M Donegan.

NAVCENT is itself part of US Central Command (CENTCOM) under which CMF was established. During discussion with Admiral Zakaullah on matters of mutual interest including bilateral

naval collaboration and security environment in Indian Ocean Region, Admiral Donegan appreciated the professionalism of Pakistan Navy personnel and the role played by Pakistan Navy in ensuring regional security and stability. He also attributed much of the success in this regard to the almost constant presence of Pakistan Navy in the region that has established and maintained conditions to allow the continued freedom of navigation for regional shipping. This increased level of security has not only stemmed acts of terrorism at sea, but also other forms of illegal activity that may help hide it.

Though CTF-150 has been instrumental in ensuring regional security and stability it had a major shortcoming in relation to a new security threat that emerged in the middle of the 2000s, it lacked a mandate to tackle piracy. With gradual increase in attacks by Somali pirates, first off the Horn of Africa, and later increasingly out

MARITIME AFFAIRS

Constant presence of Pakistan Navy throughout the region has made it safe for all. Though over 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade is sea borne, other regional states, especially those of the Gulf who receive probably over 80 percent of their food by the sea, have also benefited. It is not only in Pakistan’s interests to maintain its regional security commitments, but in the interest of all regional states.

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into the Indian Ocean, there was a demand for action, which resulted in the formation in 2009 of a new dedicated Task Force, CTF-151. As a result of the sterling work, Pakistan Navy did in contributing to CTF-150, and in further recognition of Pakistan as a state crucial to regional security/stability efforts, it joined CTF-151 at the first instance and was the first regional state to command the force, also doing so on a number of occasions subsequently. It should be remembered that at the time Pakistan’s economy was hardly in the best of health, something exacerbated by the global economic downturn and rising energy prices.

Ever dependent on the sea for its economic survival, Pakistan had little choice but to join CTF-151 as the plague of piracy was also playing havoc with international shipping further endangering its economic health even though relatively few Pakistani flagged ships were being taken. With over 12 percent by volume of oil transported by sea passing through piracy infested waters, the cost to the global economy was calculated to be up to US$12 billion. The rising cost of shipping due to increased insurance costs was something that could be ill afforded.

Pakistan Navy slowly turned the tide against the pirate gangs as the International Recommended Traffic Corridor that passes from the Bab el Mandeb out into the Gulf of Oman was gradually made safe. As recognition for Pakistan’s efforts in this regard, Pakistan has been regularly participating in UN Contact Group on Piracy that was established in response to UNSC Resolution 1851 to better co-ordinate the response to Somali piracy.

Though Pakistan Navy’s frigates assigned to the two CMF missions are regularly in the news, one aspect of Pakistan’s contribution to both forces is its deployment of maritime patrol aircraft. These are the largely unsung assets that can patrol huge areas of sea in a single mission and provide real time response to a crisis. Aircraft were often the first CMF assets on scene in an emergency to ascertain the facts of the situation, establish contact with any parties in need of assistance, and relay that information back to CMF headquarters in Bahrain.

Pakistan’s longest range/endurance assets are its P-3C Orions though it is also in the process of modernizing its latest ATR-72 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Given the interoperability with aircraft from other CMF partners that deploy the P-3C or its derivatives; however, the Pakistani Orion fleet is the natural choice for the mission.

Another element of both CTF-150 and CTF-151 is capacity building and training with local navies to enhance partnerships with regional forces. Pakistan already has considerable experience in

this respect due to having trained many of the Gulf navies and also continuing to train a wide range of personnel from regional navies at its own institutions. There is obviously always more that Pakistan Navy itself can learn through interacting and operating with other navies, but for many of the regional navies the capacity to individually deal with the twin threats of piracy and terrorism simply are not present (and in some cases may never be because of the size and limited capabilities of those forces). Practicing capabilities such as small boat interdiction drills, search and rescue at sea, helicopter operations and ship manoeuvres, are all vital skills in conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations. Additionally, increased interaction helps break down barriers and improved co-operation with regional forces, which can only have a positive outcome.

In sum, the constant presence of Pakistan Navy throughout the region has made it safe for all. Though over 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade is sea borne, other regional states, especially those of the Gulf who receive probably over 80 percent of their food by the sea, have also benefited. It is not only in Pakistan’s interests to maintain its regional security commitments, but in the interest of all regional states. Through the efforts of Pakistan Navy it is clear for all that Pakistan is a responsible state and an active partner in international collaborative efforts to ensure maritime security.

The CMFs missions would certainly be a lot harder without Pakistan’s across the spectrum contributions.

MARITIME AFFAIRS

The constant presence of Pakistan Navy throughout the region has made it safe for all. Though over 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade is sea borne, other regional states, especially those of the Gulf who receive probably over 80 percent of their food by the sea, have also benefited.

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OPERATIONAL

Winston Churchill had once conceded that “the only thing that ever frightened me was the

U Boat peril”. He was alluding to the peril of the German submarine arm prowling like predators in the Atlantic to interdict the war and merchant ships from the US and Canada to the UK and Europe. The diabolical peril giving sleepless nights to Churchill that had ultimately accounted for some 3,000 ships including over 2,400

merchant vessels was finally countered effectively through technological breakthroughs by the US and its allies in Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW). The use of U Boats by the Germans was a quintessentially asymmetric tactic employed by a weaker protagonist against a superior adversary at sea, and effectively neutralised the superior naval might of USA and UK.

Pakistan effectively prevented the nefarious designs of a surreptitious sea marauder in November last

year, underscoring the efficacy and alertness of our valiant sea sentinels. A German-origin Type 209 Diesel Electric submarine belonging to the Indian navy was detected south of Ormara while snorkeling at periscope depth to recharge its batteries. The submarine, on a war patrol mission normally ranging from forty to fifty days, was equipped with sensors to gather valuable intelligence about Pakistani maritime environment

including CPEC-related sea traffic.Detecting a submarine in sea is like ferreting out a needle in a haystack. A submarine thrives on stealth and surprise. The sea is quite unforgiving for these underwater predators as a submarine detected is a dead submarine.

That a submarine coasting furtively in our Exclusive Economic Zone (an area of 350 nautical miles extending from our shoreline towards the sea all along the coast) was detected by

our aerial Anti Submarine Warfare assets that guided our sea-based assets to the errant submarine is a testament to the technological sophistication of our surveillance, detection and ASW handlers.

Traditionally, the submarine arm of the Pakistan Navy has had a qualitative edge over the Indian navy in the past. During 1971 war, Pakistan Navy took the battle to the Indians through submarine

warfare. Our intrepid submariners sank INS Khukri, besides threatening the Indian Navy on India’s eastern coast.

But the maritime threat and response environment in South Asia has changed significantly since 1971. Now the Indian navy is not only trying to become a fearsome blue water navy, buoyed by a burgeoning economy and a newfound relevance as a regional gendarme for the US in the Indian Ocean, it is also trying to display a

Sea SentinelsBrig (Rtd)Raashid Wali Janjua

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OPERATIONAL

callous disregard for the sanctity of Pakistan’s territorial waters.Indian hubris was on full display on last year, when in blithe disregard of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, a submarine was sent on war patrol in our EEZ. Pakistan’s EEZ with an extended Continental Shelf, having an area of 290,000 square kilometres, needs to be properly defended in order to fully reap the economic as well as strategic dividends. The detection and chasing of an Indian submarine out of our EEZ was one such act of aggressive defence that signalled the resolve of a small yet qualitatively puissant Pakistan Navy to defend every inch of its sea frontiers.

With the Indian current crop of Type 209 and Kilo class Russian origin submarines the news of induction of the latest French Scorpene submarines in the Indian navy threatens to tilt the strategic balance in the undersea naval arm dangerously in favour of India. The Indian submarine threat assumes virulence in the context of future littoral warfare and the past Indian propensity for anti merchant ship warfare. The need, therefore, to safeguard the movement of

commercial shipping from Gwadar to Gulf and back assumes top priority in case we wish to make the CPEC dream a reality. The employment of sophisticated Electronic Support Measures by Diesel Electric submarines and their lesser acoustic noise compared to the long endurance nuclear submarines also makes these submarines ideal prowlers of the shallow waters for littoral operations. Their versatility to conduct littoral as well as sea lanes’ interdiction operations calls for more investment in our submarine and ASW capabilities.Pakistan, with a land-centric threat focus and a land-lubber mentality, has maintained a 1:3 ratio in land

forces while on sea the same ratio has worsened to 1:6 vis-a-vis the Indian navy. It was not just a fortuitous concatenation of events that led to emergence of an Indian submarine snorkeling wantonly in our EEZ. It is in fact the unraveling of a design pegged around the destabilisation of Pakistan and scuttling of the game-changing CPEC. The strategy that incorporates Indian aggression across the Line of Control and covert operations inside Pakistan has the

backing of global actors that seek to defeat the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative of China. The Maritime Silk Road that includes Gwadar and a string of ports at strategic locations like Colombo, Kwaukpyu (Myanmar), Sonadia (Bangladesh), and Maldives is being aggressively countered. The need of the hour is to stiffen the sinews of our sea sentinels. The navy needs a shot in the arm both in conventional submarine as well as anti-submarine warfare to address the gaping power asymmetry on sea frontier vis-a-vis India. The navy also has to play a vital, rather the decisive, role in buttressing our nuclear deterrence through second strike capability.

Let there be no doubts that the true second strike capability in the nuclear realm is only possessed by naval forces and not through some residual land-based delivery systems, however dispersed and concealed, to survive first strike by enemy nuclear forces. It is time our navy got the requisite attention it deserves to underwrite the commercial viability of the CPEC as well as the strategic viability of our nuclear deterrence.

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The concept of power erupts from the idea to influence others to achieve needed outcomes. The use of power has remained

the quotient of achieving goals in world history. According to Merriam Webster dictionary definition, “Power is the ability or right to control people or things or ability to act or produce an effect”. There are two types of power: hard power and soft power.

Hard power is often considered as the coercive approach to international political relations, which mostly includes the use of military power. According to Joseph Nye, “Hard power is the ability to use the carrots and sticks of economic and military might to make others follow your will”. The recent examples of hard power include US invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.

The other dimension of the power is Soft power. The concept of soft power was introduced by Joseph Nye. He defines soft power as directing, attracting and imitating force. Soft power is the country’s ability to influence

other countries through intangible resources like ideas, values and ideology. A country’s ability to regulate its norms, cultural values and traditions serve as basis for development of soft power. That is why it is considered as an important aid in power usage nowadays.

The term Soft power is descriptive in nature. It depends upon three basic variables: culture, political values and foreign policies. The prevailing conditions in the country determine the credibility of these variables. These variables act as an attraction to others.

Culture can be considered as a weapon of soft power. It plays an important role in building soft power of society. For example, Non Iranian arts and culture are abhorrent to the Islamic leaders in Iran. America through their soft power is able to influence some Iranians. To win the hearts and minds of the people of Iran the government focused to turn its attention on The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) locally known as “SedavaSima” (Sound

and Vision). This is the significance of culture in projection of soft power.

By its very nature, political values are equally important to culture. Soft power is produced by what the government does through its policies and political diplomacy. The non-state actors other than government are also vital in this regard. These non-state actors influence the general public as well as the government enabling an appropriate environment for formulation of government policies. These policies result in bringing political stability in the country at all levels so that the country’s soft image is projected throughout the world.

Foreign policy of a state defines how important are the diplomatic relations for the government. The foreign policy often can be alluring to the world and sometimes it may affect the country in a negative way. For example, India was attractive to the Britain in the nineteenth century, and that led to colonial subjugation, rather than soft power. Similarly, Singapore

LITERARY

Soft Power and

its eff icacy in

contemporary

environmentLt Syed M Osama PN

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built its military strength to the level to make it indigestible to the neighbours but it has combined it with the efforts to promote diplomatic relations with other countries. This is the reason that Singapore has emerged as one of the biggest tourist destination.

Soft power is not only the point of interest in the present era but it has been utilised throughout the history to influence people. The history is full of intentional or unintentional use of soft power. In this regard, glorious example of Islamic caliphate is beacon light for the whole world. During the reign of Hazrat Umar (R.A), Muslim caliphate expanded unprecedentedly. During his long tenure of 10 years, he conquered many states like Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Egypt. Despite his conquests, Umar established a policy of tolerance toward Christians and Jews, this was the reason that Islam spread expeditiously under his reign. The key behind the rapid expansion of Islam was the effective use of soft power.

If the pages of history are turned,

it is evident that British have used Soft power as potent weapon during their rule over subcontinent. Subcontinent has remained the British colony starting from 1857 till 1947. During the rule, the British used soft power techniques to influence the people of India. This was the reason most of the states assisted them in ruling the area. The British left in 1947 but their cultural heritage still prevails in our region. Even today after 7 decades, western culture and political system is followed in the region. Thus they used soft power techniques to endorse their cultural values and traditions.

In the present era, soft power has emerged as an important tool to influence and attract people. All around the world the soft power is growing rapidly. This has really been the most important factor of their development and growth in today’s world. Russia is working hard to improve its soft power image by enriching their culture, political values and foreign policy. During Syrian crisis, Russia tried to convince the world that a peaceful solution will bring stability in the

region. This has ultimately resulted into economic growth and better diplomatic relations with other nations.

Likewise, Germany is focusing on its cultural activities, economic growth and diplomatic relations. The annual soft power rankings by Monocle magazine and the Institute for Government ranks Germany on top for portrayal of soft power. Germans had been understandably wary about depicting a dominant image abroad.

Pakistan is rewarded with limitless resources that provide a platform

‘Power is not revealed by

striking hard or soften, but

by striking true.’

Honoré de Balzac

LITERARY

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to project its soft power. Pakistan is located in the part of the world which has immense historical and cultural heritage. Pakistan always had an opportunity to endorse its cultural heritage through these religio-cultural heritages. A smart balance between Hard power and Soft power is essential for country’s growth. It needs to adapt some flexible techniques to convince people and to resolve their internal and external issues. In this regard, education and tourism are very important tools to promote the soft image in front of the whole world.

There is dire need to promote the cultural heritage of Pakistan through media. Media can play an important role in this regard. The government needs to devise a policy which clearly defines the control of media by the state. This will bind the media to project the softer image of the country. For doing so, uniformity in curriculum need to be enforced throughout the country be it the government schools, madrassahs or private schools. All the students belonging to different modes of the education system be examined by same examination board. By doing so, the unauthentic current syllabus which is distracting the young brains will be out of order and the educational activities will be controlled and monitored by the state. This will uplift the current education system in the country.

In order to improve the diplomatic relations with other countries, a strong foreign policy is a pre requisite. A strong foreign policy will bring international investors in the country encouraging economic reforms in the country. Moreover, this will also support the tourism industry of Pakistan which has beautiful and divine destinations. Moreover, equal and judicious distribution of resources is necessary for bringing harmony

among all the ethnic groups. The government needs to put its highest attention to the fact that no group is considered undermined and all contribute in portrayal of country’s soft image globally.

The nature of power is changing. National borders are no longer hard lines cast in stone; they are easily penetrable. The power of ideas as spread by the media has rendered the job of containment redundant. The use of soft power as a dominant force, on the other hand, dictates the pull on hearts and minds. Given our strategic location, we need to make the

interests of others our own, and propound ways of optimizing their advantage by default benefiting our own cause. All the developed nations of the world are attempting their best to accomplish better soft power as it is evidently the most successful approach to manage others. So as to stay abreast of the worldwide pattern, Pakistan genuinely needs to concentrate on its soft power. The way Pakistan’s picture has been discolored by terrorism and debasement, executing power resources viably can work wonders.

LITERARY

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1st ever Pakistan Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy, Bilateral Naval Exercise MALPAK-17 was held in the adjoining waters of Malacca

Straits. Pakistan Navy Task Group comprising Sword Class Guided Missile Frigate SAIF with embarked Z9EC helicopter and Combat Support Ship NASR with embarked Seaking helicopter participated in the exercise. From Malaysian side, Royal Malaysian Navy Frigate KD LEKIR with embarked FENNEC helicopter and Patrol Ship KD SELANGOR participated.

The premier Naval Exercise MALPAK-17 was aimed to strengthen bilateral relationship,

enhance interoperability between the two Navies through development of combined naval tactics, techniques and procedures as well as to provide impetus to growing mutual naval collaboration between Pakistan and Malaysia.

The Exercise was conducted in two phases; harbour phase and the sea phase. The harbour phase comprised table top discussions on professional topics, practical boarding drills and planning conferences. Whereas, the sea phase included entire spectrum of Maritime/Naval operations including Cross-Deck Helo Operations, Torpedo Counter

Measures, Gunnery Firings and Joint Maritime Interdiction Operations.

Pakistan Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy have been interacting since long, however, Naval Exercise MALPAK-17 is unique being first ever bilateral Naval Exercise which will be conducted biennially in Malaysian and Pakistani waters on alternate basis. This exercise will further enhance naval collaboration between Pakistan and Malaysia besides capacity building of the forces and contributing in regional maritime security.

Pakistan Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy

Bilateral Exercisest

Italian Navy Ship’s CARABINIERE visited Karachi Port for good will cum training visit. Upon arrival,

the ship was accorded a warm welcome during an impressive reception ceremony and received by senior officials of Pakistan Navy and Italian Embassy Staff.

The visit was aimed at strengthening mutual collaboration and interoperability between the two navies through exercises and

reciprocal calls on. During the stay at Karachi, the officers and men of the ship held professional interaction with counterparts from Pakistan Navy on the subjects of mutual interest.

On completion of port visit, an exercise at sea was also conducted between Pakistan Navy Flotilla and visiting Italian Navy ship covering wide range of naval operations.

Italian Navy Ship’s good will visit to Pakistan

OPERATIONAL

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WORLD POLITICS

The tradition of benchmarking achievements of the first 100 days of a US presidency has

become the measure of whether it has been a successful beginning. Whether this is a realistic indicator or not is debatable but it does provide pointers to the style of an administration. Dating back to the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, benchmarking also allows the world to compare what each US President achieved in those first 100 days against the record of predecessors.

No 100 days has been more keenly watched than that of the 45th President, Donald Trump. As the timeline headed towards the 100th day opinions flowed from diverse political analysts, the media, the

voters, and a watching world. It is safe to say that there has never been a US President who has so divided opinion in such a short time.

A prolific user of Twitter, President Trump frequently tweets his latest policies and ideas, even before they are fully discussed with his team. Every tweet sends the global media into a frenzy of speculation about where things are really going, lively press conferences at the White House, and an Administration scrambling to keep up.

During his campaign and since his inauguration, President Trump has constantly promoted the mantra of “America First”, and shifting away from much of the

existing US foreign agenda, or so it seemed. But while domestic politics have been a dazzling flurry of executive orders, court challenges, inquiries, appointments, resignations, and golfing, it is the US role in the international arena that has remained the key focus of the rest of the world.

In April, matters in the Middle East, the US relationship with Russia, and North Korea all flared up and diverted a great deal of attention away from domestic politics in the US. The on-off relationship with Russia keeps everyone guessing. From hopes of a warming of relationships, things quickly turned sour after allegations of interference in US elections,

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WORLD POLITICS

and the role of Russia in Syria.

The two-day US visit of Chinese President, Xi Jinping, to discuss US China relations including trade and currency, and the North Korea problem, raised expectations of a tense meeting. President Trump was also threatening to “go it alone” on North Korea if China did not use its significant influence to rein in North Korea. Tough talks were expected.

But there was a quick change of heart once President Trump met the Chinese President, praising him highly and saying they had developed a “tremendous bond”. Rather graciously President Trump even admitted that President Xi had given him a history lesson on

China – North Korea relations and therefore a greater understanding of the challenge and possibilities.

No doubt the most startling moment of the meeting, held at President Trump’s luxurious Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, happened over dinner. While dining on what Trump has since described as “the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you’ve ever seen”, he announced to his guest that at that moment, 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were being launched at a Syrian air base from a US ship in the Mediterranean in response to the sarin gas attack on civilians. President Xi’s reaction is not known but given his usual dignified persona one imagines it was thoughtful silence as he contemplated his chocolate cake.

Since the Mar-a-Lago meeting, President Trump announced he had deployed a carrier strike group to the Korean Peninsula including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, with an escort of a guided missile cruiser, two warships and a fast-attack submarine. Public relations took a dive when it became clear that the USS Carl Vinson was not, in fact, heading to North Korea. Instead, it was moving through the Sunda Strait sailing in another direction for exercises with Australia. Two weeks after the Presidential announcement, the carrier group finally headed to the Korean Peninsula. This miscommunication was met with concern by both China and South Korea.

Following the Florida meeting between the two leaders, the Chinese President made a call to President Trump to continue the discussion on what to do about North Korea. The call read-out released by China included the following statement. “We held

Pakistan aims for friendly relationship with its neighbours and all countries. The Pakistan-US relationship has weathered many storms and there is no reason to believe that it would fracture under the new Administration though there may be new challenges. As yet, Pakistan does not seem to have appeared to President Trump’s radar except to say that he could help solve the problems in Kashmir by facilitating negotiations between Pakistan and India.

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WORLD POLITICS

in-depth exchanges on China-US relations in a new era as well as major international and regional issues, and reached important consensus,” said Xi. “Mr. President and I have deepened our mutual understanding and established a good working relationship. Next, both sides should utilize the four high-level dialogue mechanisms, namely diplomatic and security, comprehensive economic, law enforcement and cyber security, as well as social and people-to-people dialogues.”

China is not a country to be bullied into taking missteps towards catastrophe on its doorstep and always remains diplomatic. It will act wisely, quietly and strategically to de-escalate the situation. It has already taken initial action by turning back shipments of coal from North Korea to Chinese ports, and suspending China Airlines flights between Beijing and Pyongyang and continuing to engage in quiet diplomacy.

The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also counselled restraint in North Korea, warning that there would be no winners in an armed conflict between the U.S. and North Korea over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and missile programs. The situation remains tense with the US continuing the rhetoric on going it alone “if China can’t do it”. Russia too has now moved troops and equipment to the North Korea border.

US actions moved closer to the Pakistan in mid April when US forces in Afghanistan dropped the newest and largest non-nuclear bomb in their arsenal on caves near Achin in Nangarhar in eastern Afghanistan. The area is believed to be an ISIS stronghold. The GBU-43/B, a 21,600lb bomb nicknamed the

“Mother of All Bombs (MOAB)”, set a new tone in the war in Afghanistan and against ISIS. Whether this is an indication of a new focus on Afghanistan by the US or a warning to other countries like North Korea and Syria, remains to be seen.

There is also confusion about US intentions on Iran. US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson recently announced that the US was conducting a government-wide review of its Iran policy. He referred to the landmark nuclear deal signed during the Obama Administration in 2015 as a failure accused Tehran of following in the footsteps of North Korea. Threatening words, but these contrasted with a letter he wrote to the House of Representatives confirming that Iran was honouring its commitments to the deal. This confusion can only increase the level of concern for countries in the region.

So what does all this mean for Pakistan? Pakistan aims for friendly relationship with its neighbours and all countries. The Pakistan-US relationship has weathered many storms and there is no reason to believe that it would fracture under the new Administration though there may be new challenges. As yet, Pakistan does not seem to have appeared to President Trump’s radar except to say that he could help solve the problems in Kashmir by facilitating negotiations between Pakistan and India. Communications between the US President and Pakistan Prime Minister were warm and recent meetings between US civilian and military officials with their Pakistani counterparts have been frank and positive.

Although a recent visit to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India,

US National Security Adviser Lt Gen HR McMaster is reported to have questioned Pakistan’s regional approach and called on Pakistan to confront ‘terrorism in all its forms’. At the same time Gen McMaster recognised there have been challenges but significant successes too. Much has been done in recent years to uproot terrorism from the country with successful operations in FATA, Karachi, and now with Radd-ul-Fasaad underway to defeat the menace of terrorism throughout the rest of the country. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is breathing new life not only into Pakistan-China relationship, trade and infrastructure, investment, international trade, but also contributing to the security and stability of the Indian Ocean Region.

On his visit Gen McMaster was accompanied by Acting US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Laurel Miller, Senior Director for South Asia, Lisa Curtis and Director Pakistan Jay Wise, both of whom are from the National Security Council. Lisa Curtis, who in her new role will have significant influence on US policies related to Pakistan and India, recently called on the Trump administration to stop treating Pakistan as an ally and to diplomatic isolate the country. This may indicate some tough interaction in the future but Pakistan has much to support its case for successfully challenging this perspective.

What of the next 100 days? Will it be as dramatic as the first? And what will it mean for Pakistan and the region? Only time will tell. It may come down to whatever President Trump will decide to tweet about next.

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April 2017

PN Annual Safety Review

Pakistan Navy’s Annual Safety Review for the year 2016 was held at Bahria Auditorium

Karachi. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah was Chief Guest on the occasion. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah while addressing the audience, expressed his satisfaction over adherence to safety culture in Pakistan Navy. The Naval Chief said that Safety Review is actually a process of self accountability which helps to evaluate and gauge the safety standards in the light of occurrences of yester year.

The Naval Chief highlighted that during war or peace time, safety and professionalism complement each other in the successful execution of naval operations. However, besides constraint of resources, provision of war equipment entails

that we must be mindful of safety protocols in order to keep precious lives and costly equipment safer during all evolutions.

Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah further said that professionalism is indispensable to nurture a robust safety culture which can only be attained through effective training and devotion. He emphasized that adherence to safety rules doesn’t construe that one should become timid and reluctant during execution of professional duties, rather, each one of us is expected to be pre-emptive and dauntless besides following the SOPs during the execution of the mission.

In the end, the Naval Chief congratulated all the winners and gave away the safety trophies and awards.

The safety review

is held every

year with an aim

to create safety

awareness and

inculcate safety

culture among

naval personnel

which provides

a road map to

further enhance

safe working

environment in

Pakistan Navy.

SAFETY