Pakistan Navy to Command Multinational Task Force in Southeastern Middle East
The Pakistan Navy has announced that it has taken command of a multinational task force responsible for maritime security in the southeastern Middle East, including the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Gulf of Aden. This task force, called Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150), is part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a coalition of 34 nations working to secure global shipping routes.
CTF-150 focuses on counter-terrorism, anti-smuggling efforts, and improving navigational safety, particularly in areas prone to piracy and militancy. Commodore Asim Sohail Malik of the Pakistan Navy took over the command from Captain Colin Mathews of the Royal Canadian Navy in a ceremony held in Bahrain.
The Pakistan Navy has led the task force 12 times before, and this recent handover marks the 13th time. The Directorate General Public Relations of the Pakistan Navy emphasized the importance of CTF-150’s role in securing some of the world’s most crucial and challenging international waters. Commodore Malik pledged to continue working closely with coalition partners to maintain peace and stability in the region.
