KARACHI: Royal Saudi Naval Forces commander Vice Admiral Abdullah S. Al-Sultan has said that Pakistan Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces share wide-ranging maritime cooperation and support, something which they value very much.

Speaking as the chief guest at the commissioning parade at Pakistan Naval Academy PNS Rahbar, where a total of 88 officers got commissioned after completion of the 104th midshipmen commissioning term and 13th Short Service Commission Officers’ Course following rigorous training, Vice Admiral Abdullah S. Al-Sultan said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed extremely cordial relations with strong religious, cultural and historic bonds.

On his arrival, the chief guest was received by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah.

“We consider Pakistan as Saudi Arabia’s closest friend. We have complete harmony on regional problems and hold regular consultative sessions on bilateral issues. Both brotherly countries are always keen to further augment regional cooperation in various fields of mutual interest and to further the cause of maintaining international peace and stability,” Vice Admiral Abdullah S. Al-Sultan said.

The Saudi naval commander said that Saudi Arabia sincerely believed in bilateral and multilateral resolution of all regional conflicts through dialogue. “The Middle East is currently going through a tumultuous phase. We stand united and committed to resolve all these issues peacefully and would not let the enemies take advantage of the situation,” he said.

While congratulating and extending felicitations on achieving this milestone, the commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces advised the passing out midshipmen and cadets to seek professional knowledge and technology from all available sources. “We must relate to our glorious past as well. It was Muslim scientists and explorers who laid the foundation of modern navigation and seafaring. Therefore, in order to rejuvenate our predecessors’ contribution in the field of science and technology, it is incumbent on us that we focus on research and development more than ever before,” he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Pakistan Naval Academy commandant Commodore Foad Amin Baig highlighted the salient features of the officers’ training. He said the commissioning term comprised 68 midshipmen — 46 from Pakistan and 22 from Bahrain and Libya. He added that 20 cadets from the short service commission officers batch were also being passed out, too. The commandant highlighted that cadets from Bahrain, Jordan, Libya, the Maldives, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan and Yemen were also undergoing training at Pakistan Naval Academy.

Later, the chief guest gave away prizes to the winners. Midshipman Arsalan Tariq was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour for his overall best performance. Midshipman Rana Muhammad Shoaib won the Academy Dirk. Cadet Sher Zaman, Allied Cadet Omer Jedea Abdulla Alzaed (Bahrain) and Cadet Saira Batool (SSC) were given Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gold Medal, Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal and Commandant’s Gold Medal, respectively.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior military officers, ambassadors, defence attaches of various countries, civil dignitaries and parents of passing out midshipmen and cadets.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2015