ISLAMABAD, Sep 23 (APP):Pakistan Navy Ship SAIF visited Port Casablanca, Morocco for goodwill-cum-training
visit, said a press release issued here
by Directorate of Public Relations of Pakistan Navy on Sunday.
The PNS SAIF
is the frontline warship of PN Fleet’s 18th Destroyer Squadron. The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art
weapons and sensors for undertaking all types of Maritime Operations in
multi-threat environment. The ship is also embarked with organic Anti-Submarine
Warfare helicopter Z9EC.
Upon arrival at Port Casablanca, the ship
was received by Moroccan Navy Liaison Officer and officials from Embassy of
Pakistan in Rabat.
Pakistan and Morocco enjoy close and
brotherly ties at all levels of
diplomatic and defence relations. Pakistan Navy is duly cognizant of the
need to enhance maritime collaboration with navies of friendly countries in the
form of regular ships’ port visits, extension of its training facilities,
participation in bilateral/ multilateral exercises and visits of senior PN
officers to explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation. This ship visit came
after a gap of 13 years as last port call by PN ships to this important North
African Muslim country took place in year 2005.
Rear Admiral Moazzam Ilyas, the Commander
Coast (COMCOAST) represented PN during official engagements on the occasion of
ship’s port call. During stay at Casablanca, COMCOAST called on senior naval
officials from Moroccan Navy including Rear Admiral Lahcen Lyamlouli, Flag
Officer Commanding Military Region Casablanca and Captain Vice Major Tahin,
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations.
Matters
of mutual interests were discussed in the meetings and both sides agreed to
further enhance bilateral cooperation in various the maritime fields. During
these interactions, COMCOAST also conveyed well wishes from Chief of the Naval
Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi to the people of Morocco in general and
Moroccan Navy in particular. He also extended his gratitude for the
whole-hearted support provided by Moroccan Navy and Casablanca Port Authorities
in making ship’s stay comfortable and professionally rewarding.
PNS SAIF
visit to Casablanca was given wide coverage both in electronic and print media
of Morocco. During three days stay at Casablanca, PN crew members visited
Moroccan Navy Ship SULTAN MOULAY ISMAIL (F-614) whereas Moroccan Navy officers
visited PNS SAIF for professional interactions. A reception was also held
onboard which was attended by large number of diplomatic community, Defense
Attaches’ and Senior Moroccan military officials.
On completion of port visit, PNS SAIF conducted trilateral passage exercise
(PASSEX) off Casablanca with French Navy Ship MISTRAL (L-9013) and Moroccan
Navy Ship ALLAL BEN ABDALLAH (F-941). Trilateral PASSEX was aimed to enhance
cooperation and interoperability at tactical level and sharing of mutual
experiences at sea with friendly Naval Forces.