Pakistan Navy

The Pakistan Navy (Urdu: پاک بحریہ‎; English IPA: Pɑk Bahri'a) (reporting name: PN), is the naval warfare and the uniform service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces, responsible for Pakistan's 1,046 kilometres (650 mi) coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defence of important civilian harbors and military bases. The Pakistan Navy came into the existence after the independence of Pakistan in 1947, and the Navy is currently headed by Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila. Navy Day is celebrated on September 8 in commemoration of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

The Pakistan Navy's current and primary role is to protect the country's economic and military interests at home and abroad, executing the foreign and defence policies of the Pakistan Government through the exercise of military effect, diplomatic activities and other activities in support of these objectives. As for the 21st century, the Pakistan Navy also focuses on limited global expeditionary operations, and played a vital role in the establishment of Pakistan Antarctic Programme.

The Pakistan Navy is also supported by the Pakistan Coast Guard, Pakistan Marines, and the Maritime Security Agency(MSA), the combat paramilitary division of the Pakistan Navy.

The Pakistan Navy is currently undergoing extensive modernisation and expansion as part of Pakistan's role in the War on Terror. Since 2001, the Pakistan Navy has increased and expanded its operational scope and has been given greater national and international responsibility in countering the threat of sea-based global terrorism, drug smuggling and trafficking issues. Since 2004, Pakistan Navy became a member of the primarily NATO Combined Task Forces CTF-150 and CTF-151.

The Constitution of Pakistan makes the President of Pakistan the civilian Commander-in-Chief. The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), by statute a four star admiral, is appointed by the President with the consultation and confirmation needed from the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Chief of Naval Staff is subordinate to the civilian Defence Minister and Secretary of Defence, and commands the Navy.