ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship, PNS Alamgir, visited Port Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, taking a break from its patrolling duties in the North Arabian Sea, a press statement from the Pakistan Navy said on Saturday.
The visit was part of a regional maritime security patrols project that aims to ensure the safety of international shipping along critical choke points, and for the two navies to discuss maritime cooperation.
Upon arrival at the port, the ship was given a warm reception, according to the statement, with PNS Alamgir’s Commanding Officer calling on the Deputy Western Fleet Commander Royal Saudi Naval Forces, to convey the Pakistan Navy Chief’s felicitations on Saudi National Day to their counterparts in the Kingdom.
The reception included a dinner hosted in honor of the visiting navy, with a dinner hosted onboard the ship that was attended by prominent guests including diplomats from Russia, Turkey, Somalia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Philippines, Cameron, Egypt and Thailand.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a long history of maritime cooperation and collaboration, and PNS Alamgir’s short stay at the Jeddah port was a step to further enhance ties and initiatives between the two navies.
PNS Alamgir is fitted with state of the art weapons and sensors, and is capable of undertaking a wide range of maritime operations, the navy’s statement said.
Upon completion of the visit, the ship resumed its role in the North Arabian Sea where it is deployed for regional maritime security patrol.
Pakistan navy ship takes break from duties, visits Port Jeddah to warm welcome
Pakistan navy ship takes break from duties, visits Port Jeddah to warm welcome
- The two navies met to discuss maritime cooperation and security along critical choke points
- Upon completion of the visit, the ship resumed its role in the North Arabian Sea
Pakistani, Bangladeshi officials discuss trade, investment and aviation as ties thaw
- Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war
- Ties between Pakistan, Bangladesh have warmed up since last year and both nations have resumed sea trade
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider on Sunday met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka, the latter's office said on, with the two figures discussing trade, investment and aviation.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024. Relations remain frosty between Dhaka and New Delhi over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina.
Pakistan has attempted to forge closer ties with Bangladesh in recent months and both South Asian nations last year began sea trade, followed by efforts to expand government-to-government commerce.
"During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation as well as scaling up cultural, educational and medical exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations," Yunus's office said in a statement on X.
In 2023-24 Pakistan exported goods worth $661 million to Bangladesh, while its imports were only $57 million, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. In Aug. this year, the Pakistani and Bangladeshi commerce ministries signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade, aiming to raise their bilateral trade volume to $1 billion in the financial year that began in July.
The Pakistani high commissioner noted that bilateral trade has recorded a 20 percent growth compared to last year, with business communities from both countries actively exploring new investment opportunities, according to the statement.
He highlighted a significant increase in cultural exchanges, adding that Bangladeshi students have shown strong interest in higher education opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in medical sciences, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Haider also said that Dhaka-Karachi direct flights are expected to start in January.
"Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed the growing interactions between the two countries and emphasized the importance of increased visits as well as cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges among SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member states," the statement read.
"Professor Yunus also underscored the need to further boost Bangladesh–Pakistan trade and expressed hope that during Mr. Haider’s tenure, both countries would explore new avenues for investment and joint venture businesses."
