The arrival of PNS Tariq and PNS Submarine Hashmat at the Jeddah Islamic Seaport last week was marked by a meeting held between the commanders of the ships and dignitaries from the Saudi navy, officials of the Pakistani consulate and representatives of the local media. Mukhtar Khan, commander of PNS Tariq, said that the Pakistan Navy and the Saudi Navy will cooperate to undertake training exercises. Both navies have agreed on a program called Naseem-Al-Bahar, with the aim of strengthening their capabilities in quick action and visiting each other every other year. Captain Altaf, commander of PNS Submarine Hashmat, said: “The mutual exercises involve training each other on how to attack and defend in case of war”. Khan said PNS Tariq is a frontline destroyer of the Pakistan Navy which has been operating since the early nineties. Captain Altaf said Submarine Hashmat has been with the Pakistan navy since 1979, and Saudi naval officers are trained to operate it. Khan said the visit aims to bolster bilateral relations between the two countries. “We are highly grateful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for the confidence and trust placed in the Pakistani forces and for the training of Saudi army officers at the Pakistan War College and other navy and air force institutions. We are certain that the Pakistani forces will prove worthy of the trust placed in them,” he said. Pakistani Consul General Abdul Salik Khan described it as “an honor for the Pakistani naval ships to be here on a goodwill mission”. Addressing the gathering he said: “We express our gratitude to King Abdullah for making it possible for 1.5 million Pakistanis to work in Saudi Arabia. I urge all Pakistanis to work hard and contribute to the economic development of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan is benefited by your presence in this holy land. This way the friendly ties between the two nations will continue to strengthen.” The national anthem of the two countries was played and the event was concluded with a dinner reception.
