ISLAMABAD: The naval forces of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have concluded their final planning meeting for the “Naseem Al Bahr 13” joint exercise, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Saturday.
“The final planning conference for the (Naseem Al Bahr 13) exercise between the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the Pakistani counterpart, has concluded in Pakistan, with the participation of the Royal Saudi Air Force,” the SPA said.
It added that the exercise aims to enhance cooperation between the two nations in the field of “planning and implementation of joint operations, enhancing maritime security, and protecting waterways.”
Pakistan and Saudi enjoy deep-rooted defense ties.
In July 2019, three Saudi naval officers were among 175 graduates at the Pakistan naval academy’s commissioning parade in Karachi, where Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) commander, Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily, was the chief guest.
The Pakistan navy has provided training to the Kingdom’s officers and sailors during the Saudi navy’s formative years between the 1970s and ‘80s.
In May, Pakistan’s Army Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the Kingdom, where he held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and a coterie of other senior officials to review bilateral relations.
Last month, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud also discussed strengthening security cooperation with Gen. Bajwa at the Pakistan Army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi.
“They reviewed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, and the meeting dealt with strengthening cooperation to maintain security and stability,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a series of tweets.
Pakistan, Saudi officials conclude planning meeting for naval exercises
https://arab.news/23d5h
Pakistan, Saudi officials conclude planning meeting for naval exercises
- Seek to enhance cooperation with ‘implementation of joint operations’, SPA says
- Move to strengthen deep-rooted defense ties between the two countries
Pakistani immigration agents express concern over US visa ban
- Trump’s administration is suspending immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries
- The pause will begin on January 21, a State Department spokesperson said this week
Pakistani immigration agents and members of the public expressed concern to US immigration ban on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump’s administration is suspending processing for immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday, as part of Washington’s intensifying immigration crackdown.
The pause, which will impact applicants from Latin American countries including Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay, Balkan countries such as Bosnia and Albania, South Asian countries Pakistan and Bangladesh, and those from many nations in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, will begin on January 21, the spokesperson said.
“It is a matter of concern,” said travel and immigration agent, Mohammad Yaseen, in Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city.
“All these people who were waiting for a long time for their visas to be issued, they also had an appointment date, their visas would be suspended. They will be affected by this news and this ban,” he added.
A local resident and banker, Amar Ali, said the ban will economically dent Pakistan because many Pakistanis earn and send dollars back home which boosts its economy.
Another local resident, Anwer Farooqui, urged President Trump to reconsider this decision and keep Pakistan, which is a very reliable friend of the United States, at the same level.
The cable, sent to US missions, said there were indications that nationals from these countries had sought public benefits in the United States.
The move, which was first reported by Fox News, does not impact US visitor visas, which have been in the spotlight given the United States is hosting the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
The decision follows a November directive to US diplomats asking them to ensure that visa applicants are financially self-sufficient and do not risk becoming dependent on government subsidies during their stay in the US, according to a State Department cable seen by Reuters at the time.
Trump has pursued a sweeping immigration crackdown since returning to office in January. His administration has aggressively prioritized immigration enforcement, sending federal agents to major US cities and sparking violent confrontations with both migrants and US citizens.
