KARACHI, Dec 12: Two Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force ships Uraga and Sawagiri arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day goodwill visit. The ships are also carrying relief goods for Afghan refugees, says an ISPR (Navy) statement.

Soon after the arrival of the ships, a ceremony for handing over/taking over relief goods was held at East Wharf berth.

The Japanese consul general in Karachi, Kazumi Dekiba, was the chief guest on the occasion who, on behalf of the Japanese government, formally handed over the assistance to the representative of the United Nations High Commission for Afghan Refugees.

Later, the commanding officers of the Japanese ships visited the Fleet Headquarters and called on Rear Admiral Shahid Karimullah, Commander of Pakistan Fleet. They remained together for some time and exchanged views on the matters of common interest.

The relief goods consisted of tons of shelter tents, blankets, water containers, vinyl sheets and sleeping mats.—APP/PPI