Pakistan, Saudi officials conclude planning meeting for naval exercises

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.