ISLAMABAD: Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali, the vice chief of air staff of the Pakistan Air Force, on Monday reviewed the ongoing multinational air exercise “ACES Meet 2021-1” at a PAF Operational Air Base, with the commander of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz Air Base in attendance.
The two-week exercise kicked off at PAF’s operational air base on Monday with the objective to maximize the combat readiness of participating countries through near-realistic and role-oriented air-to-air combat training, with a focus on counterterrorism operations.
Saudi Arabia and the US have brought combat aircraft and fairly large contingents of pilots and technical staff to the exercise. The Royal Saudi Air Force contingent consists of 180 officials, including pilots and technicians, who arrived with several Tornado multirole combat aircraft and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
Around 50 officials from Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain are also present at the drill as observers.
“Vice Chief of Air Staff, PAF was given a comprehensive brief by Commandant Airpower Center of Excellence, Air Commodore Ahsen Yousaf, about the salient features and progress of the exercise ‘ACES MEET 2021-1’,” PAF said in a statement. “The Vice Chief expressed his satisfaction over the operational preparedness of the participating units and conduct of the exercise.”
Major General Eid Bin Barrak Al-Otaibi, commander King Abdulaziz Air Base, was also present at the occasion, PAF said, along with other military dignitaries from PAF and the Royal Saudi Air Force.
The King Abdulaziz Air Base, also known as Dhahran Air Base and formerly Dhahran International Airport, Dhahran Airport and Dhahran Airfield, is a Royal Saudi Air Force base located in Dhahran in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. The air base was the first Saudi Arabian airport to be constructed, in 1961.
King Abdulaziz air base commander attends Pakistani air force drill review
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King Abdulaziz air base commander attends Pakistani air force drill review
- Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali, vice chief of air staff of Pakistan Air Force, on Monday reviewed ongoing multinational air exercise ACES Meet 2021-1
- Saudi Arabia and the US have brought combat aircraft and fairly large contingents of pilots and technical staff to the exercise
Pakistan opposition ends protests, PTI forms ‘Imran Khan Release Force’ for jailed ex-PM
- Opposition alliance ends week-long protests over Khan’s health concerns
- Party announces nationwide membership drive for “peaceful” mobilization
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani opposition alliance on Wednesday called off nationwide sit-ins held over jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s health, while his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced a new mobilization campaign, including the formation of an “Imran Khan Release Force.”
Pakistan has faced months of political confrontation between Khan’s party and the government since his arrest in 2023, with repeated protests, court battles and accusations by PTI that authorities are attempting to sideline its leader from politics, allegations the government denies.
Tensions have intensified in recent weeks after concerns emerged about Khan’s health in prison. Khan’s lawyer told Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week that the ex-cricketer had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody, while a medical board said the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved. Since last week, the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance has been holding a days-long sit-in at Parliament House over Khan’s health concerns.
“All sit-ins including the one at parliament have been called off,” Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai, a spokesperson for the alliance, told Arab News.
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi told reporters the party was preparing for an organized political movement to demand their leader’s release.
“After continuous violations of court orders, an organized public struggle has now become inevitable,” Afridi said, announcing the creation of an “Imran Khan Release Force,” with membership open to youth across the country.
Afridi said the organization would include PTI’s student, youth, women, minority and professional wings and would conduct a “completely peaceful struggle,” adding that Khan himself would dissolve the body after his release.
He said membership cards would be issued within days and supporters would take oath in Peshawar after Eid, with a formal chain of command operating under leadership designated by Khan.
“This struggle is for real freedom, supremacy of the constitution and law, democracy and free media,” Afridi said.
Imran Khan, 73, a former cricket star who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was removed from office in a parliamentary vote of no confidence that he says was orchestrated by political rivals with backing from the military. Both the government and armed forces deny the allegation.
Khan has been jailed since August 2023 after convictions he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party call politically motivated.
Broadcast outlets have been restricted from airing Khan’s name and speeches or even showing his image. Only a single court photograph has been publicly available since his imprisonment.
PTI swept to power in 2018 and retains a large support base across key provinces.
