Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistan remains committed to developing maritime infrastructure along the coast from Karachi to Gwadar to prepare itself as the future trade and trans-shipment hub in the region.

In a tweet on Thursday, he said maritime trade activities are going to increase manifold with the growth in our financial and industrial base. This will create the need for additional capacity to support expansion in the maritime sector.

The Prime Minister said the launch of the state-of-the art MILGEM Class Warship PNS TARIQ, which is the 4th Ship of this Class and the 2nd being constructed in Pakistan, is a major step towards self-reliance and indigenization in the defence sector.

He said the MILGEM project opens new vistas of closer collaboration between Pakistan and Turkiye and will prove to be an enduring icon of our friendship.

Shehbaz Sharif said MILGEM Class Ships will also play a crucial role in meeting our security needs.