Some actors in the region trying to establish their hegemony: PM Shehbaz Shareef

Prime Minister Shehabaz Sharif emphasizes the strengthening of the Pakistan Navy.

PM launches the 4th MILGEM-class corvette PNS Tariq into the sea.

He reiterates the invitation to Turkey to join the flagship CPEC project.

In a veiled attack on India, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that certain elements are fighting to establish their hegemony in the region.

"Some actors in the region are trying to establish their hegemony and create a sphere of influence. It is all the more important that we strengthen our navy and our maritime activities," the prime minister said a day after offering New Delhi talks with Islamabad. .

The prime minister's comments came as he launched the fourth MILGEM-class corvette PNS Tariq into the sea during a ceremony held at the Karachi Shipyard.

The MILGEM project, signed in 2018, envisages the construction of four corvettes for the Pakistan Navy - two in Pakistan and two in Turkey.

Ties between Pakistan and India have remained mostly strained since independence in 1947 and have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965 and 1971.

However, bilateral relations virtually came to a standstill after India revoked the special status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.

But the prime minister said a day earlier that he was ready to talk to India if the nuclear-armed neighbor "seriously discusses serious matters because war is no longer an option".

To ensure that the enemy does not think of attacking Pakistan, the Prime Minister told naval officials present on the occasion that the government is fully prepared to provide "all the resources at your disposal so that [...] security is strengthened and made firm part of all times to come".

Vice President of Turkey Cevdet Yilmaz was also present at the ceremony as a guest of honor.

Federal Ministers Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Ahsan Iqbal, Syed Naveed Qamar and Israr Tareen, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also attended the ceremony.

Repeated invitation to CPEC

Prime Minister Shehbaz lauded the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying that it is high time that Pakistan and Turkey strengthen their bilateral strategic cooperation for the prosperity of both nations.

The prime minister said Erdogan is a great leader, which was reflected in his "wonderful" victory in a recent poll.

Therefore, the Prime Minister said that it is high time that the two countries strengthen strategic cooperation and add more joint ventures in other areas.

The MILGEM project represents an enduring symbol of Pakistan-Turkey maritime cooperation. It is a tangible step towards self-reliance and indigenization and would fulfill the critical security needs of the Pakistan Navy.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and Turkey share a commonality of faith, heritage and civilization, with both sharing perspectives on regional and global issues.

Referring to the huge support of the people of the subcontinent during the Khilafat movement, the Prime Minister said that bilateral relations predated the creation of Pakistan.

“We celebrate each other's successes and we also face challenges together […] This is the level of our relationships when we share each other's rewards and sorrows,” he noted.

The Prime Minister recalled the visit of Turkish President Erdogan and the Turkish First Lady to Pakistan after the floods, as well as the generous contribution of the Turkish people to the flood victims in 2010 and last year.

Describing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a "resounding success", the prime minister said Pakistan and China have agreed to launch the second phase, which will include a green corridor, trade corridor, special economic zones and IT corridors.

He said the second phase must increase the amount of business transactions and Turkiye is a "natural partner" and reiterated his invitation for the country to join the wonderful opportunity of prosperity.