KARACHI: Pakistan Navy ship Zulfiquar recently visited the port of Jeddah as part of overseas deployment. Upon arrival at the port, the ship was received by Pakistan Naval and Air Attache at Saudi Arabia and officials of Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF).

According to information received here, during its stay at the port, RSNF Commander of Western Naval Fleet Command Rear Admiral Yahya Bin Mohammed Al Asiri and Commander of Western Naval Aviation Group Rear Admiral Mohammed Bin Saeed Al Ahmri visited the PN ship and called on Mission Commander Commo­dore Syed Rizwan Khalid.

During the interaction, matters of mutual interest were discussed and contribution of Pakistan Navy to regional peace and maritime security was acknowledged by the visiting dignitaries. The mission commander also conveyed well wishes from the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammed Amjad Khan Niazi for the people of Saudi Arabia in general and RSNF in particular.

Earlier during the Jeddah port visit, PNS Zulfiquar separately conducted passage exercises with Italian Navy ship Vega and Turkish Navy ship TCG Gokceada in the Mediterranean Sea. The exercises encompassed advanced maritime maneuvers including maritime interdiction operations, boarding and force Protection drills.

The exercises were aimed to enhance military cooperation through naval engagement and augment interoperability between friendly navies.

During the overseas deployment, PNS Zulfiquar participated in Russian Navy Day parade besides port visits and conduct of bilateral exercises with friendly countries in Europe and North Africa.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2021