Flag Hoisting Ceremony of Exercise AMAN 2023 Held in Karachi
A remarkable and vibrant Flag Hoisting Ceremony was held at Pakistan Navy (PN) Dockyard, Karachi, to formally commence the proceedings of 8th Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-2023. A large number of senior military representatives from the participating countries, observers, diplomats and PN officials attended the ceremony. The opening of the Exercise was marked with simultaneous hoisting of flags of all the 50 participating nations of AMAN-2023. 

The message of Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi was read during the ceremony. In his message, the Naval Chief warmly welcomed the participants of Exercise AMAN-2023. The Admiral underscored that AMAN Exercise is a regular feature that involves regional and extraregional navies to create a secure and favorable maritime environment for smooth and unhindered maritime activities in the region. The Naval Chief in his message further underlined that PN has been a forerunner in its quest for promoting collaborative maritime security in the region besides generating the camaraderie as highlighted under the exercise’s motto ‘Together for Peace’. 

Speaking on the occasion, Commander Pakistan Fleet warmly welcomed all the participants and thanked them for their wholehearted participation in the exercise. He acknowledged the flags of the participating countries from across the globe fluttering together.

Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference
The maiden edition of Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (PIMEC) was held from February 10-12, 2023 at Karachi Expo Centre. 159 delegations including 143 local and international firms/organizations participated in the exhibition. In addition, 52 countries including Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Oman, Turkiye, the UK, Italy, Germany, Portugal, the USA, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Kazakhstan attended the event. Another highlight of the event remained active participation of Sindh and Balochistan Government, who established exclusive pavilions aimed at promoting investment in the maritime sector.
PIMEC encompassed maritime exhibition, business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings, signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and media interactions. The main objective of PIMEC was to highlight Pakistan’s potential for Blue Economy, provide opportunities to the maritime industry, both in public and private sectors, to display products at one forum. PIMEC acted as the active platform for interaction with the international maritime industry for joint ventures, transfer of technology and research to provide importance to Pakistan’s maritime and defense industries.
The opening ceremony of PIMEC was graced by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Chief of the Naval Staff was also present at the event. A large number of civil military, foreign and local delegates also attended the event. 
Chief of the Naval Staff in his message highlighted that PN, being the major stakeholder in shaping the maritime thought in the country, is proactively playing its role in creating the requisite maritime awareness for exploiting the untapped potential of Blue Economy. The Naval Chief further underscored that this milestone event will bring together international and national stakeholders, creating a marketplace for presenting innovative ideas while showcasing maritime potential and opportunities in this dynamic field. The Admiral further emphasized that PIMEC is a platform to reaffirm our commitment and resolve towards preserving and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources, exploiting natural resources and to spur growth for collective and shared prosperity.
Towards the culmination of PIMEC, the closing session was graced by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Syed Faisal Ali Sabzwari as the Chief Guest while Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi was also present during the event. 

Addressing the audience, the Chief Guest highlighted that PN has been the driving force to spearhead the dynamic initiatives in the maritime domain and has rendered invaluable services for the socioeconomic uplift of the coastal areas. The Minister also underlined that the government is launching new projects for beneficial collaborations and successful maritime business partnerships. The Chief Guest added that recommendations of the conference will provide guidelines to embark on profitable initiatives for accelerating development of the maritime sector and conduct of the next PIMEC in 2025. 
Earlier, Commander Karachi extended profound appreciation to the visiting delegates, scholars and experts on maritime affairs and valued exhibitors for their forthcoming participation and dynamic presence during the event. He also emphasized that through PIMEC, Pakistan’s ocean-based industry will come together, exchange ideas and create new avenues for the prosperous future of Pakistan’s Blue Economy. He also praised the efforts of National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) for successful conduct of International Maritime Conference (IMC) on the theme of ‘Embracing Blue Economy–Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries’ during the event.
International Maritime Conference-2023
International Maritime Conference (IMC) 2023 spearheaded by National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) was organized from February 10-12, 2023 on the theme ‘Embracing Blue Economy–Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries’. The IMC sessions covered research papers presented by national and international eminent speakers.
During the IMC sessions, various international and national renowned speakers delivered their talks. Dr. Anuar Liporado Bin Abdullah from ‘Ocean Quest Global’ Malaysia, Dr. Zafar Ullah Jattak from Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS) Balochistan, Engineer Faisal Iftikhar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deep Blue Sea Food and Mr. Saeed Sarparah, CEO Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade emphasized various topics under the theme of ‘Impact of Innovation on Sustainable Blue Economy’. While Dr. David Middlemiss from Wallingford Group, UK, Mr. Jawed Iqbal, CEO Shoib Shipping Agency, Mr. Usman Munir from KOTUG, Dr. Jian Ling from Southern University of Science and Technology, China, and Engineer Captain (Retired) Ibrahim from Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) deliberated on the theme ‘Challenges to Marine Industries and Contemporary Scientific Developments’. 
Besides, Mr. Muhammad Irfan Tariq, former Director General (DG) Ministry of Climate Change (MOCC), Mr. Muhammad Amjad from Global Climate Change Impact Studies Centre, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema from Country Representative International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Dr. Asif Inam from Bahria University Karachi Campus (BUKC) pondered upon the theme of ‘Impact of Climate Change on the Marine Environment’. Besides, Dr. Josh L. Breithaupt from Florida University, USA, Dr. Abed El Rahman Hassoun from Germany, Dr. Ying Wu from China and Dr. Samina Kidwai, DG National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) also contemplated various aspects of ‘Ocean Bio-Geo Sciences and Marine Technologies’.
Towards the last session of IMC, President MCE, Rear Admiral Javaid Iqbal, Maritime Security Director Malaysian Industry Council for Defense Enforcement and Security (MiDES) Malaysia Captain Dr. Tay Yap Leong, Diector of Waterlink Group of Companies, Mr. Ahsan Malik and Regional Strategy Manager Thales, Middle East, Mr. Louis Brayle contemplated upon the dynamic theme of ‘Importance of Secure Oceans and Emerging Trends in Shipping and Port Operations’. The conference was attended by a large number of dignitaries from across the globe, officers from defense forces of Pakistan and friendly countries, academia, media representatives and researchers from local and international think tanks.
Powerful Demonstration of SOF Teams
In tandem with various activities of the AMAN-2023 exercise, Maritime Counter Terrorism Demonstration was held at Pakistan Navy Shipyard (PNS) Qasim, Manora, Karachi. Governor Sindh, Kamran Tessori graced the occasion as Chief Guest and appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Navy in conducting the multinational maritime exercise AMAN-2023 in a befitting manner. 
A large number of observers, foreign diplomats, personnel from the participating navies, government officials/civil dignitaries and senior officials of Armed Forces of Pakistan witnessed the counter-terrorism demonstration.
AMAN Sports Fixtures
During Exercise AMAN-2023, different friendly sports matches between the officers and men of participating countries and Pakistan Navy were organized.
Vibrant Spectacle of Common Heritage of Peace
In order to provide an opportunity to observe the varied cultures of participating countries during multinational exercise AMAN-2023, an international food fiesta and cultural show was organized for officers and sailors, showcasing a wide range of food and cultural items of the participating countries. Personnel from regional and extraregional navies, observers, foreign diplomats and senior officials of Pakistan Armed Forces attended the event.
International Fleet Review
Multinational maritime exercise AMAN-2023 organised by Pakistan Navy (PN) culminated in the North Arabian Sea with a powerful conduct of International Fleet Review (IFR) followed by spectacular forming up of AMAN Formation comprising PN and foreign naval ships. The honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Upon arrival on board Pakistan Navy Ship MOAWIN, the Prime Minister (PM) was received by Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi. Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Mr. Rana Tanveer, Special Advisor to Prime Minster (SAPM) Mr. Fahad Hussain, Governor Sindh, Chief Minister Sindh, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) were also present on the occasion. In addition, ambassadors, high commissioners, senior military officers, defense and naval attachés from various countries also witnessed the fleet review.
The Chief Guest observed various naval operational maneuvers and drills conducted during IFR. The Fleet Review also featured an impressive fly past by PN, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and participating foreign aircraft followed by man and cheership salute by the participating ships. The mega exercise culminated with the participating ships forming up in traditional AMAN Formation to signify the collective resolve, ‘Together for Peace’.
The Prime Minister lauded PN for successfully hosting Exercise AMAN-2023 for promoting peace and security in the region. The Chief Guest thanked the participating regional and extraregional navies for displaying their commitment to collaborative maritime security and joining hands for peaceful coexistence. The PM emphasized that AMAN-2023 will pave the way to make the region more peaceful and secure with combined efforts by all stakeholders.
CNS thanked the honorable PM for gracing the IFR with his presence. The Naval Chief assured that PN will continue to play a dynamic role in enhancing the regional maritime security individually and in collaboration with partner navies. He also highlighted that successful conduct of PIMEC-2023 held in tandem with Multinational Exercise AMAN-2023 is a manifestation of PN’s resolve to promote the maritime potential of Pakistan. During the exhibition, around 20 MOUs, one Joint Venture and one sale/purchase agreement of export of iron ore were signed.
During  AMAN-2023, 50 countries participated with their naval warships, aircraft, Special Operation Forces (SOF) and a large number of observers.