ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship ZULFIQUAR visited Port of Algiers, Algeria as part of overseas deployment in Mediterranean Sea. On arrival at port area, the PN ship was received by Algerian Navy ship and welcomed by Pakistani Head of Chancery at Algiers Mr Munawar Hussain and officials from Algerian Navy.

According to PN information on Sunday, during stay at port, the Mission Commander Commodore Syed Rizwan Khalid called on Commander Central Maritime Region of Algerian Navy Commodore Gaid Nour Eddine. 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 Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi for the people of Algeria in general and Algerian Navy in particular. The Ambassador of Pakistan to Algeria Mr Ata ul Munim Shahid also visited onboard PNS ZULFIQUAR and interacted with Mission Cdr and Commanding Officer of the ship. Upon departure from Algeria, PNS ZULFIQUAR conducted naval exercise with Algerian Navy Ships.

Earlier to Algerian port visit, PNS ZULFIQUAR participated in bilateral naval exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy Ship SULTAN MOULAY ISMAEL in Strait of Gibraltar. The exercise included advanced Maritime maneuvers, 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 ZULFIQUAR and conduct of bilateral naval drill with Algerian and Moroccan navies will foster navy to navy relations and will go a long way in strengthening diplomatic and military relations, among the friendly countries.