Pervez Musharraf News

Pakistan President President General Pervez Musharraf said shipbuilding industry can become the country’s great asset due to its potential and would contribute to the uplift of national economy.The President was chairing a meeting of Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) to review the shipbuilding industry, which was also attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. Vice Admiral Iftikhar Rao, Managing Director KSEW in his presentation informed President Musharraf that shipbuilding is an attractive industry for developing nations, because shipyards are labour intensive and employ a large number of workers including a wide range of ancillary industry.

Pakistan’s navy inducted its first locally built submarine in an effort to bolster its marine force, according to an AP report. Pakistan has already built two Agosta submarines with help from France, this is reported to be the first submarine from local manufacturers. Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf was reportedly the chief guest at the launching ceremony of the Hamza submarine near the port city of Karachi on the shore of the Arabian sea. Pakistan’s navy has taken several steps in recent years to augment its marine force by adding submarines and other equipment. (Source: AP)

The inventory of Pakistan Navy is being strengthened while measures are being taken to make the navy a potent force, defense experts have said. Last year, the Pakistan Navy inked a deal with China for four state-of-the-art frigates besides inducting modern Agosta 90b submarines and enhancing the existing fleet of P-3C Orion surveillance aircrafts. The acquisition of four F-22P frigates would be an important step for the county’s maritime defence and experts hope that the first of the ships would be delivered in 2008. According to schedule, China State Shipbuilding Corporation would supply the ships from 2008 to 2013. The fourth warship would be built completely in Pakistan to transfer the technology.