President Zardari Pays Tribute to Pakistan Navy's Courage and Professional Excellence on Navy Day

On September 8, Pakistan will observe Pakistan Navy Day as a proud nation, paying tribute to the officers, sailors and civilian personnel of the Pakistan Navy whose determination, courage and professional excellence have consistently made the nation proud. In his message on Pakistan Navy Day, President Asif Ali Zardari paid homage to the personnel of the Pakistan Navy and recalled the force's historic role in defending the country's maritime frontiers. The President said the Pakistan Navy's daring Operation SOMNATH against the heavily guarded Indian naval coastal station at Dwarka on the night of September 7-8, 1965, remains a reminder of the Navy's glorious past. He said the operation not only demonstrated the bravery and tenacity of the Pakistan Navy but also helped lay the foundations of a formidable maritime force driven by self-belief and an unwavering resolve to deter the enemy and strengthen Pakistan's maritime defence. President Zardari said that since the historic events of 1965, the Pakistan Navy had continued to uphold the same spirit of courage and determination in defending the country's maritime frontiers. He said that during Marka-e-Haq in May 2025, the Pakistan Navy played a vital role in safeguarding Pakistan's maritime interests through operational readiness and forward deployments that effectively deterred the adversary. This, he added, kept the numerically superior Indian Navy at bay and denied it any opportunity to threaten Pakistan's maritime security. Referring to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the President said the Pakistan Navy had more recently demonstrated its commitment to national security through Operation MUHAFIZ-UL-BAHR. The Navy, he said, made swift and significant contributions towards protecting Pakistan's energy security and economic lifelines by ensuring the continuity of vital sea-borne energy supplies. President Zardari said the Pakistan Navy was also modernising its capabilities in line with contemporary technological developments. The induction of modern warships, strategically significant HANGOR-class submarines, jet aircraft, unmanned systems and indigenous long-range missiles reflected its determination to maintain a modern and capable maritime force equipped to safeguard Pakistan's maritime interests. He said that, alongside ensuring national security and the territorial integrity of Pakistan's sea frontiers, the Pakistan Navy remained actively engaged in maritime diplomacy and regional security. Through multinational Exercise AMAN and the AMAN Dialogue, the Navy was promoting international cooperation under the banner of 'Together for Peace.' The President further said the Pakistan Navy continued to serve as a reliable 'first responder' during national and regional emergencies, providing vital humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. As Pakistan faces increasingly complex maritime challenges, President Zardari reaffirmed the State's steadfast commitment to the continued modernisation and capacity building of the Armed Forces. 'I have complete faith in Pakistan Navy that with its high standards of professionalism and technological edge, it will continue to protect our maritime interests with courage, honour and proficiency,' he said. Pakistan Navy Zindabad. Pakistan Paindabad.