KARACHI: A nine-day exercise between Pakistan Navy (PN) and Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) concluded in Saudi Arabian waters off Al Jubail, it has been announced.
According to a statement released by Pakistan Navy, the exercise — named Naseem Al Bahr XI (NAB) — comprised of practical demonstrations of Fast Boat Attacks, various formations, maneuvering drills, defense against asymmetric attacks using fast boats, Helicopter landings, Boarding Operations, Anti Piracy and joint response to conventional threats at sea.
During the exercise, live weapon firing was also conducted in which PN and RSNF ships successfully engaged their respective targets. Pakistan Navy’s P3C & helicopters conducted joint operations with Saudi Air Force & RSNF Air Arm elements. Mine Counter Measure Exercise (MCM) was also conducted for the first time as part of exercise, the statement said.
During the sea phase of exercise, survey and diving operations and under water demolition of targets were also conducted. This year, Exercise Daraa Al Sahil was also a part of Naseem Al Bahr XI in which Pak Marines and RSNF Marines exercised Amphibious Landing Operations, Escorting Operations, Beach Landing, Sniper Camouflage Training and Boarding Operations. In addition, Small Arms Firing, Cover and Maneuver drills and Para Drop Operations by RSNF Marines were also undertaken.
The exercises were followed by a closing ceremony, held at King Abdul Aziz Naval Base Al Jubail. Chief of Staff (Personnel), where Vice Admiral Abdul Aleem of Pakistan Navy was the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the first ever conduct of Naseem Al Bahr XI is a manifestation of high level of mutual faith, trust and confidence. “Regular conduct of Exercise Naseem al Bahr between PN and RSNF since 1993 is testimony to the ever increasing cooperation between two brotherly countries in general and navies of both countries in particular. Such interactions will enable both the
navies of the region to jointly ensure maritime security in the IOR,” he said.
The Admiral highlighted Pakistan Navy’s role in counter terrorism and counter piracy operations since 2004 and 2009 respectively in North Arabian Sea (NAS), Gulf of Aden (GOA) and Horn of Africa (HOA). CTF 150 and CTF 151 are demonstration of Pakistan Navy’s commitment and resolve to maintain peace and order at high seas surrounding two countries.
Vice Admiral Abdul Aleem also appreciated the operational capabilities of RSNF Officers and men displayed throughout the exercise and hospitality of RSNF Eastern Fleet Command during stay of PN Flotilla at Port Al Jubail.
Earlier, debrief about conduct of various phases of the exercises was conducted by Pakistan Navy Flag Officer Sea Training representative and RSNF Fleet Training Group. Debrief analyzed performance of all participating units and focused on areas needing improvement, highlighted lessons learnt from various operational activities and recommendations for future exercises. Debrief was also attended by Rear Admiral Laafi Bin Hussain Al Harbi, Commander RSNF Eastern Fleet and a large number of officers from PN and RSNF.
Saudi-Pak joint naval exercises conclude in Al Jubail waters
Saudi-Pak joint naval exercises conclude in Al Jubail waters
Pakistani PM to attend Board of Peace summit as part of Islamic bloc effort — FO
- Board will hold its first meeting on Feb. 19 in Washington to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction
- Foreign office spokesman says no dates finalized for visit to Pakistan by Saudi Crown Prince
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan confirmed on Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the first meeting of President Donald Trump’s newly formed “Board of Peace” in Washington on Feb. 19, positioning Islamabad as part of a joint Islamic diplomatic initiative focused on Gaza.
A UN Security Council resolution, adopted in mid-November, authorized the board and countries working with it to establish an international stabilization force in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire began in October under a Trump plan on which Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas signed off.
Under Trump’s Gaza plan, the board was meant to supervise Gaza’s temporary governance. Trump thereafter said the board, with him as chair, would be expanded to tackle global conflicts. The board will hold its first meeting on Feb. 19 in Washington to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi confirmed Sharif’s participation.
“Yes, I can confirm that the prime minister will attend the Board of Peace meeting... He will be accompanied by the deputy prime minister,” Andrabi said, describing Pakistan’s participation as part of a broader collective engagement by Muslim-majority states.
“We have joined the Board of Peace in good faith… We are in it, not in isolation, not as one voice, but as a collective voice of eight Islamic Arab countries,” he said.
“Our collective voice is resonating in the Board of Peace, and we will continue to strive for the right and progress and prosperity of the people of Palestine. And also aimed at the long-term solution of the Palestine issue in order to create a state of Palestine in accordance with the pre-1967 border with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.”
Pakistan does not recognize Israel and has consistently supported a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Responding to reports about a possible visit to Pakistan by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Andrabi said no dates had been finalized.
“There was a reference to the visit in one of the joint statements [issued after two visits of Sharif to Saudi Arabia last year] that this visit will take place this year. But I am not aware of its timing as yet,” the FO spokesman said.
Andrabi also addressed Pakistan’s financial engagement with the United Arab Emirates, confirming that Abu Dhabi had rolled over $2 billion in deposits with Pakistan’s central bank.
“The tenure of the rollover is prerogative of the depositor. But what I can assure you is that through the positive role of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister [Ishaq Dar], we can say that the rollover is assured,” he said.
Last month, Pakistan’s central bank confirmed the extension of the $2 billion deposit, which has helped support the country’s foreign exchange reserves as Islamabad implements reforms under an ongoing International Monetary Fund bailout program.
Andrabi added that Pakistan currently faces “no external finance gap.”
