Pakistan Navy Day on September 8 commemorates the operational achievements of the Pakistan Navy during the 1965 war, highlighting maritime defense, modernization efforts, and regional diplomacy. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued special messages honoring the force’s officers, sailors, and civilian personnel.
Operation Somnath and the 1965 War Legacy
The annual observance marks the daring Operation Somnath carried out against the Indian naval coastal station at Dwarka on the night of September 7/8, 1965. President Zardari described the operation as a defining moment that laid the foundations of a formidable force, demonstrating bravery and tenacity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated in his message that warships struck with absolute precision against a heavily armed and larger adversary, destroying critical shore installations of the enemy and establishing psychological ascendancy at sea. The prime minister added that the presence of our submarine ‘GHAZI’ in the Indian Ocean further paralyzed the enemy movements during the conflict.
Modern Operations and Strategic Preparedness
The Pakistan Navy’s role has evolved to address contemporary security challenges. President Zardari highlighted the force’s readiness and forward-deployed posture during May 2025’s Marka-e-Haq operations, which successfully blocked a larger Indian Navy from posing a threat to the nation’s maritime security. Prime Minister Sharif noted that this operational preparedness successfully deterred a numerically superior enemy from undertaking any act of aggression at sea.
Furthermore, President Zardari referenced Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr, initiated during the ongoing Middle East crisis, which safeguarded Pakistan’s economic lifelines and energy security by keeping sea-borne energy shipments flowing. To keep this defensive capability intact, the branch is currently modernizing through the acquisition of new warships, jet aircraft, Hangor-class submarines, unmanned systems, and domestically engineered long-range missiles.
Maritime Diplomacy and Regional Cooperation
Beyond traditional defense duties, the Pakistan Navy engages in global soft power projection and maritime diplomacy. President Zardari drew attention to the multinational Exercise Aman and its companion Aman Dialogue—conducted under the banner “Together for Peace”—as vital forums for international and regional partnership. Prime Minister Sharif added that the Navy enjoys strong good-will in the region through operational and technical engagements, maritime industrial linkages, mutual training exchanges and maritime diplomacy.
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