KARACHI: Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Nasr visited the ports of Djibouti and Sudan as part of its deployment in the African region.

Upon arrival at the two countries’ ports, crewmembers of the PN ship were extended warm welcome by the ambassadors of Pakistan, Shozab Abbas in Djibouti and Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra in Sudan, along with the countries’ defence attachés and host naval officials, said an official statement.

The mission commander and commanding officer of the ship called on the chief commander of Djibouti Navy, Colonel Abdul Rehm­­an Aden, and the comman­der-in-chief of Djibouti Coa­st Guard, Col Wais-o-Bogoreh.

He also called on the commander of Port Sudan Naval Base, Commodore Al Sadiq Ibrahim Osman, the governor of Red Sea State, Sudan, Abdullah Shangaryi Ohaj, commander of the Red Sea Military Area, Major General Ibrahim Al Jail, and director general of the Port Authority of Sudan, Omer Mohammad Adam, said the statement.

During the meetings, the PN’s mission commander con­­­veyed sincere regards from Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi to the people of both countries.

As a gesture of goodwill and humanitarian support, food aid was handed over to the local authorities at both Djibouti and Sudan.

The events for handing over of rations were attended by the government and naval officials of both the countries.

The important guests at Djibouti included the president of the Djibouti National Assembly and local parliamentarians.

Similarly, the event at Port Sudan was attended by the Governor Red Sea State, Minister of Social Welfare Red Sea and officials from the government and armed forces. The dignitaries paid special tribute to the government of Pakistan and Pakistan Navy for the kind gesture of provision of humanitarian assistance.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2021