A senior ex-naval officer has told a private news channel that the Pakistan Navy, with the support of China, has discovered vast gas reserves deep beneath the sea in a joint survey initiated under the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff.
The revelation came from Rear Admiral (retd) Fawad Amin Baig on the prestigious occasion of Pakistan Navy Day, observed on September 8 to honour the heroics of the sentinels of the country’s seas.
Speaking on a private media outlet’s political show, Baig maintained, “The country’s waters are not only rich in minerals but also home to a treasure trove of marine resources that could change our economic outlook if tapped wisely.”
“The Pakistan Navy played a central role in exploring these resources,” he added.
Baig noted that a detailed survey carried out with Chinese assistance confirmed that the country’s seabed holds significant gas deposits, stressing that the next step must be to attract investors.
He said that with the right funding and technology, this hidden wealth could be put to use for Pakistan’s development.
Pointing to the challenges, Baig stated, “Whenever Pakistan moves towards progress, hostile fifth-generation warfare tactics drive investors away.” However, he added that with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the combined efforts of the military and political leadership, a new defence strategy is in place to give Pakistan a stronger economy.
China and Pakistan are working closely to boost mining cooperation and promote the implementation of a pact on strengthening mining development and industrial cooperation, according to a joint statement from the two countries issued last year.
China will strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in areas such as marine oil and gas resources and natural gas hydrates and will encourage Chinese firms to participate in the development of offshore oil and gas blocks in Pakistan, added the statement.