Maritime security has become a strategic imperative for any nation seeking prosperity through maritime connectivity. Colossal potential of CPEC to alchemize Pakistan into a trade hub would undoubtedly amplify its strategic clout. Concurrently, it would effectuate some sentiments in regional as well as extra-regional competitors and enemies to halt its progress, CPEC’s geo-economic and geo-strategic overtone and location, particularly its maritime jewel Gwadar port, would categorically invite innumerable threats such as terrorism, illicit trafficking, piracy, and potential proxy fracas. Success of CPEC is intrinsically linked to safe and secure maritime environment in Indian Ocean Region, notably Arabian sea which is the primary maritime area of interest of Pakistan. These developments have enhanced Pakistan Navy’s strategic role to contribute to key elements of ‘survival’, ‘sustainability’, and ‘security’ against the potential maritime challenges. Almost 95% trade of Pakistan trade transits through the SLOC-Sea Lines of Communications. The makes protection of SLOC and seaward security a potent concern for Pakistan.

Pakistan Navy is responsible for protection of Pakistan’s coast, defence of CPEC and various ports such as Ormara, Bin-Qasim, Karachi and Gwadar. The onus of maintaining open and smooth SLOCs is also the key responsibility of PN. For this purpose, a distinctive organization Task Force-88 (TF-88) has been created in 2016 in order to ensure Gwadar port’s seaward security and protection of associated SLOCs against traditional and non-traditional security threats. This special task force is comprised of marines having expertise and specialization in safeguarding the marine projects and assets both seaward and on-shore against various hazards emanating from aerial, surface and sub-surface.TF-88 also possesses suitable platforms constituting frigates, gunboats, aircrafts, Fast Attack Crafts coupled with various means of electronic surveillance and drones. It takes special care of harbour defence based on fast patrol craft, marine forces, artillery such as shore-based anti-aircraft, and surveillance system entailing aerial surveillance systems, drones and radars. Moreover, the seaward defence can effectively intercept the challenges exuding from the traditional and non-traditional inimical elements. TF-88 operates in close conjunction with the air defence assets as well as high powered radars of the Air Force. This close coordination depicts the maritime air picture and distribution of surveillance watch functions. Furthermore, the capacity and capability of seaward defence is fully effective to squire merchant vessels and oppugn danger emanating from irregular elements which also includes various asymmetric operations.

Pakistan Navy has deployed an exclusive force termed as Force Protection Battalion (FPB) consisting of marines coupled with requisite equipment and assets, both ashore and afloat, in order to ensure the defence of Gwadar Port as well as Chinese personnel working there. Size of the force is strategically conditional to Gwadar port related projects and activities. Proportionate growth in trade and other associated ventures will augment this deployment.

Another landmark achievement of the Pakistan Navy is raising a special force named as Coastal Security and Harbor Defense Force with the aim to counter the various security hazards along Pakistan’s coast. It comprises coastal security station’s networks which aims at guaranteeing maritime vigilance, maritime security to effectively respond to various challenging situations and threats along the coast of Pakistan. As a result, it ensures the security of the CPEC and particularly its key maritime component Gwadar port.

Besides creating Special Forces, several other measures have been implemented by the Pakistan Navy to ensure security of CPEC. This makes Maritime Domain Awareness an effective activity because awareness implicating the security, environment, economy and safety which is a national necessity. For that purpose, Pakistan Navy has established Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center (JMICC) in 2013 and Coastal Watch Stations (CWSs) to strengthen and buttress coastal and maritime security. JMICC is hailed as premier hub of maritime information in Pakistan and across the region. Such measures will play a pivotal role in enabling PN to collect and collate critical data and harmonize operations with various security or defence agencies with respect to maritime domain.

Another significant initiative of Pakistan Navy is the initiation of the independent regional maritime security patrols in 2018. Previously, its two units were connected to the Task Force 150 and Task Force 151 constituting UK, Australia, US, and other states. Now, independent operations are being conducted by these vessels. These independent patrols would provide Pakistan the faculty to armour CPEC and Strait of Hormuz. These maritime patrols as it allows Pakistan Navy to combat pirates and terrorism outside EEZ zone and continental shelf. Moreover, PN initiatives like biennial Aman exercise ensures strategic preparedness while cultivating regional and international cooperation against an array of maritime security challenges. Since its initiation in 2007, PN has been organizing this landmark exercise with the key aim to buttress synergy and further maritime interoperability. With 28 navies in 2007 to more than 50 navies in 2025, Aman’s participation trajectory underlies ever-enhancing acceptance of Pakistan led approach to maritime security in the region.

CPEC would precipitate the manifold growth in commercial activity in the maritime domain. This would enormously enhance Pakistan Navy’s responsibilities in various dimensions such as fending port activities, shielding coastal infrastructure against sabotage and terrorism, and most notably securing the sea lines. Therefore, PN with the cooperation and support of China is currently active on three fundamental extents: vessel security, security of trade routes and security of Gwadar port. Pakistan Navy’s tactical and professional preparedness in order to guard the country’s strategic interests are noteworthy. It has been playing a cardinal role in the domain of national security by mitigating concatenation of traditional and non-traditional maritime security threats. This expanding mandate signifies the shift from conventional naval defence to comprehensive maritime security, quintessential for uninterrupted commercial flow and protection of maritime infrastructure linked to CPEC.