By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday lauded the Pakistan Navy for successfully carrying out an operation in the North Arabian Sea in which 1.3 tons of narcotics were seized.
The prime minister, in a statement, said that the vibrant leadership of the Pakistan Navy led to the seizure of huge quantity of narcotics in the operation.
He said that foiling the attempt to smuggle a huge quantity of narcotics was laudable.
“The whole nation feels proud of the officials of the Pakistan Navy. The elimination of narcotics was essential for the welfare of humanity,” he remarked.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated that the government was determined to extend all possible facilities to the Pakistan Navy in its mission to purge country of narcotics.
Earlier, The Pakistan Navy seized 1.3 tons of narcotics valued at approximately $26 million during a targeted operation in the North Arabian Sea, aimed at disrupting illicit maritime activities, the navy said in a press release on Thursday.
The operation, dubbed “Himalayan Spirit,” was carried out by the Pakistan Navy ship PNS Zulfiqar, part of a combined task force.
The operation was supported by the Pakistan Maritime Security Ship (PMSS) Kolachi, as well as the US Navy and US Coast Guard vessels operating in nearby waters. “PNS Zulfiqar, while participating in Focused Operation Himalayan Spirit, successfully interdicted a vessel carrying 1.3 tons of hashish,” the navy said.
The operation also involved aerial surveillance provided by the Pakistan Navy and the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. The navy emphasised the success of the operation as a reflection of Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring peace and security at critical maritime chokepoints.
This follows a series of similar operations, including a June 2024 seizure of 389 kilograms of drugs and a May 2023 operation where over 4,000 kilograms of hashish were confiscated.
