Pakistan Navy Ship ZULFIQUAR (with embarked helicopter) visited Portsmouth, United Kingdom, as part of Pakistan Navy overseas deployment.
Upon arrival at the port, the ship was warmly welcomed by officials from the Royal Navy, Deputy High Commissioner and Defence & National Advisor of Pakistan at the UK.
During stay at port, the Mission Commander Commodore Syed Rizwan Khalid along with Commanding Officer PNS ZULFIQUAR Captain Rao Ahmed Imran Anwar called on Commander Naval Base Portsmouth Cdre J J Bailey. During the interaction, matters of mutual interest were discussed and the contribution of the Pakistan Navy to regional peace and maritime security was acknowledged.
Mission Commander also conveyed well wishes from Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi for the people of the UK in general and Royal Navy in particular. The Mission Commander also extended his gratitude for the wholehearted support provided in making the ship stay comfortable. The High Commissioner of Pakistan to the United Kingdom H.E Moazzam Ali Khan also visited onboard PNS ZULFIQUAR and interacted with Mission Commander.
After the port visit, PNS ZULFIQUAR participated in the 3rd PN-RN Bilateral Naval Exercise (WHITE STAR-III) with Royal Navy Ship HMS TYNE off Portsmouth. The exercise encompassed advanced Maritime manoeuvres including Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) 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 ZULFIQAR to the United Kingdom will further foster navy to navy relations and will go a long way in strengthening diplomatic and military relations, between the two countries.