KARACHI: Pakistan Navy ship Zulfiquar recently visited Hamburg, Germany, as part of Pakistan Navy overseas deployment.

Upon arrival at the port, the ship was warmly welcomed by the naval and air attache of Pakistan at Berlin and officials from German Navy.

During its stay at the port, Mission Commander Com­modore Syed Rizwan Khalid along with Commanding Of­­ficer of PNS Zulfiquar Captain Rao Ahmed Imran Anwar called on Chief of Staff Ger­man Naval Com­mand Rear Admiral Frank Lens­­ky, Commander of Hamburg Naval Command Capt Mic­hael Giss and Chief Harbour Master of Hamburg Port Mr Pollmann.

During the interaction, matters of mutual interest were discussed and contribution of Pakistan Navy to regional peace and maritime security were acknowledged.

The mission commander also conveyed well wishes from the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammed Amjad Khan Niazi for the people of Germany in general and German Navy in particular.

Later, the mission com­mander and commanding officer also attended a wreath laying ceremony at the Naval Memorial Laboe Kiel.

During the visit, an impressive ceremony was held onboard PNS Zulfiquar to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Germany.

Earlier, PNS Zulfiquar participated in a bilateral naval exercise with Polish Navy ship ORP Kormoran in the Baltic Sea. The exercise encompassed advanced maritime manoeuvres, inc­luding maritime interdiction operations boarding and force protection drills. The exercise was aimed to enhance military cooperation through naval engagement and augment interoperability betw­een the two friendly navies.

The visit of PNS Zulfiquar to Germany and conduct of bilateral naval drill with Poland will further foster navy-to-navy relations and will go a long way in strengthening diplomatic and military relations, among the friendly countries.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2021