Visiting Pakistan Navy ships given warm reception

JEDDAH: Pakistan Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan said relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are people-centric and Saudi leadership “considers these relations beyond any limits.”

Pakistan’s envoy was speaking as chief guest here at a reception, held late Thursday night, on Pakistan Navy ship PNS Zulfiqar that is on good-will visit to Saudi Arabia along with PNS SV Behr Paima and PNS/SUB Marine Hamza.

Commander of Saudi Royal Navy Rear Adm. Khalid Hammadan, Consul General Abdul Salik Khan, consul generals of other countries, diplomats, dignitaries, mediapersons, officers of Saudi Navy and a large number of community members were present on the occasion.

Naeem Khan welcomed the officers and JCOS of Pakistan Navy to Saudi Arabia and said relations between two brotherly countries, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, are excellent at all levels. He said that these relations were based on deep love and reverence. These relations at institutional levels are also time tested.

He added that each Pakistani considers security of Saudi Arabia as his personal matter.

Referring to the meeting of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani with Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his own meeting with Defense Minister Prince Salman, he said that Saudi leadership also considers both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as one country.

He said that Pak-saudi relations are of strategic nature and such good-will visits of naval ships from friendly countries further strengthen bonds. He also highlighted the strategic importance of relations between Pakistan and Royal Saudi Navy. They emphasized that such visits are a source of strength between the armed forces of both countries.

Formation Commander Commodore Sohail Abid welcomed the guests on board and informed about the goodwill mission and briefly highlighted the state- of- the- art Combat Management System, torpedoes and missile in PN Zulfiqar and oceanographic technologies available at PNS SV Behr Paima.

He said PNS Zulfiqar could also operate an organic helicopter. The ship took part in various deployments and exercises in the country and abroad. He also added that on way back both Pakistan Navy and Saudi Royal Navy will have joint exercise.

Naeem Khan, Rear Adm. Hammadan and Commodore Abid cut the cake to celebrate long- lasting friendship of Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.