04 January 2005	Tuesday	22 Ziqa'ad 1425

KARACHI, Jan 3: Two ships of the Pakistan Navy - PN Khaibar and PN Moawin - loaded with relief goods, medical supplies, doctors and three helicopters are leaving here on Tuesday morning to conduct relief operation for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Giving details on the relief operation on board PN Khaibar, Captain Ali Abbas, commanding officer of the ship, said we as a nation were deeply shocked and grieved over the loss of lives.

He said in line with the government decision to provide maximum possible assistance to our friends in time of need, the Pakistan Navy had decided to deploy two ships for rendering assistance and transporting relief goods to affected areas.

He said due to emergency, the ships had been prepared in a very short time to provide necessary assistance immediately. During the mission, he said the PN had made special arrangements for providing maximum possible relief both in terms of goods and services.

Later, Mission Commander Commodore Mohammad Ehsan Saeed said three helicopters - two Seaking and one Alit - would also be used in relief operations. - APP