Pakistan, Nigeria to boost military ties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Nigeria agreed on Monday to boost military ties and trade in defence -related products.
The two sides discussed the issue during a meeting between President Mamnoon Hussain and visiting Nigerian Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Nunayon Amosu here on Monday. Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Dauda Dauladi attended the meeting.
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A source privy to the meeting told Dawn that Nigeria had shown keen interest in acquiring Pakistan-made arms, ammunition and other equipment, including tanks.
Nigerian Defence Minister Musiliu Obanikoro will attend Ideas-2014 national exhibition of arms, ammunition and defence related products to be held in Karachi in December.
During his visit some agreements are likely to be signed according to which Pakistan may provide defence related products to Nigeria.
Wishing the visiting dignitary a pleasant and fruitful visit to Pakistan, President Mamnoon said the two countries should explore avenues for further forging closer military ties, especially in areas of military training and defence technologies.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian delegation visited different defence production sites, including Pakistan Ordnance Factories Wah.
“The Nigerian showed interest in Pakistani aircraft Mashak and Al Khalid tanks,” the source said.
Defence Secretary Mohammad Alam Khattak, Defence Production Ministry Secretary Tanvir Tahir and high officials of the president’s secretariat were also present at the meeting.
APP adds: Air Marshal Amosu visited Air Headquarters and paid homage to the martyrs of PAF by laying a wreath on the Martyrs’ Monument.
On his arrival at the Air Headquarters, he was received by Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff. A smartly turned out contingent of PAF presented the Guard of Honour.
Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2014