KARACHI: Pakistan Navy (PN) Ship ASLAT with embarked Z9EC Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopter on Sunday arrived at United Kingdom Naval Base Portsmouth, third Port of its overseas deployment to Mediterranean and European countries.

The ongoing overseas deployment is aimed to strengthen friendly ties with Mediterranean and European countries through Naval Diplomacy, thus contributing towards overall foreign policy objectives of the government. Earlier, the ship had visited Port Aqaba, (Jordan) and Algiers, (Algeria).

Upon arrival at Port, PNS ASLAT was warmly welcomed by Base Portsmouth commander naval commander, High Commissioner of Pakistan and Defence and Naval Advisor. The UK Royal Navy (RN) Marines Band played melodious welcoming tunes. Ship’s arrival was given wide electronic and press coverage.

PNS ASLAT Port Call to Portsmouth was fully capitalised in terms of professional and social interactions with host country in general and RN in particular. PN Mission Commander Commodore Muhammad Faisal Abbasi along with PNS ASLAT commanding officer held meetings with UK High Commissioner to Pakistan, High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK among others.

PN and RN enjoy a long-standing relationship since the independence of Pakistan. In the formative years, training facilities and technical advice rendered by RN laid a solid foundation for the development of close ties between the two Navies. Close collaboration exists between the two Navies across multiple domains including training,

technical cooperation, high-level visits etc. Both countries also enjoy strong political, diplomatic, economic and military ties. Efforts of PN towards combating security threats in the maritime domain and professional competence of men were highly appreciated by their counterparts.

A reception was also hosted onboard PNS ASLAT at Portsmouth. A number of foreign diplomats, UK military Officers and notable Pakistani community attended the event.

The visit carries special significance for both the Navies as maiden PN-RN bilateral Exercise in UK waters is also part of Ship’s visit programme. The Exercise focuses on Maritime Interdiction Operations and other warfare related exercises between PN and RN Ships to enhance interoperability and to mutually benefit from each other’s experiences.

PNS ASLAT’s port visit to the UK will go a long way in further strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and the UK.