KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the Pakistan Navy for its readiness and professionalism, stating that the naval forces were fully prepared to launch an operation akin to the historic Operation Dwarka.

However, the Indian Navy avoided confrontation after witnessing the befitting response from Pakistan's ground and air forces.

PM Shehbaz arrived in Karachi yesterday for a day-long visit and visited the Pakistan Navy Dockyard, where he met with naval officers and personnel. "The Indian military, after facing setbacks on land and in the air, was not ready to take on our naval forces. Otherwise, the Pakistan Navy would have revived the memories of Operation Dwarka," the PM told officers and sailors. "During the Indian misadventure, the world saw that our Navy was fully prepared. Naval weapons had been deployed, and the Pakistan Navy was once again ready-just like in 1965-for Dwarka," he added.

Operation Dwarka remains a landmark achievement in the history of the Pakistan Navy. On the night of September 8, 1965, the Navy executed Operation Dwarka-codenamed "Operation Somnath." Ships including PNS Babur, Khyber, Badr, Jahangir, Alamgir, Shahjahan, and Tipu Sultan launched a surprise attack on the Indian naval base at Dwarka.

The strike, which lasted just four minutes, caused significant damage, set parts of the base ablaze, and disrupted Indian Navy operations against Karachi. The prime minister said the nation stood united during the recent standoff, calling the harmony among Pakistan's armed forces a "golden chapter" in the country's history.

He praised the Navy's performance in safeguarding ports and trade routes, adding that modern technology had significantly enhanced its operational capabilities. "We are proud of the Navy's extraordinary performance. Its use of modern technology has taken its effectiveness to new heights," he added.

PM Shehbaz also expressed gratitude to international allies for their support during the heightened regional tensions. He thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and long-time partner China.

He also praised US President Donald Trump for his role in brokering a ceasefire. "Trump is a man of peace. He played a key role in halting conflict between two nuclear powers at a critical time. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for acting as a sincere friend and even offering to mediate on Kashmir," he said.

The PM was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Atta Tarar, and other senior officials.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 20 2025

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.