ISLAMABAD: Pakistani ship “Zulfiquar” arrived at the port in Jeddah on Thursday as part of efforts to strength ties between the navies of the two friendly countries, the Pakistan navy said in a statement.
The Pakistani and Saudi naval forces have enjoyed close relations for decades. The Pakistani navy provided training to Saudi officers and sailors during the Saudi Navy’s formative years, while Saudi Arabia has given the Pakistan navy free-of-cost fuel on many occasions.
On arrival at the Jeddah port, the host navy and Pakistani diplomatic officials welcomed the ship and crew.
“Commander of the Saudi Navy Western Fleet Command and Commander Western Naval Aviation Group visited PNS Zulfiquar,” Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
Before arriving in Jeddah, the ship had participated in bilateral naval exercises with the Moroccan and Algerian navies, which included advanced Maritime maneuvers, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Boarding and Force Protection drills.
Saudi officials also discussed professional matters of mutual interest with the Pakistani ship’s commanding officer, who conveyed a message of goodwill from the Pakistani naval chief to the people of Saudi Arabia, especially members of the Saudi navy.
Earlier this year, Admiral Niazi visited Saudi Arabia to discuss bilateral defense ties in January.
Pakistan navy’s ‘Zulfiquar’ visits Jeddah Port in Saudi Arabia
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Pakistan navy’s ‘Zulfiquar’ visits Jeddah Port in Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan navy provided training to Saudi officers and sailors during Saudi navy’s formative years
- Saudi Arabia has given the Pakistan navy free-of-cost fuel on many occasions
Pakistan’s Balochistan announces Ramadan relief package for 328,000 families
- Balochistan government to distribute ration packs across all districts of the province among deserving families, says state media
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week launched $136 million Ramadan relief package for low-income families across the nation
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province has announced a Ramadan relief package comprising ration supplies for 328,000 deserving families across the province, state media reported this week.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Jahanzaib Khan said the ration packs will be distributed across all districts of the province through eight-member coordination committees.
“Jahanzaib Khan added that ration supplies for the Ramazan package have already been dispatched to twenty districts, while remaining districts will receive their share in coming days,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Monday.
Khan vowed to ensure transparency “at all costs” and that the government would not compromise on the quality of the ration packages.
The announcement comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a Rs38 billion ($136 million) Ramadan relief package on Saturday, pledging direct digital cash transfers of Rs13,000 ($47) each to 12.1 million low-income families across Pakistan.
The government had scrapped the Utility Store-based Ramadan subsidy system last year, arguing that it led to quality concerns, long queues and administrative inefficiencies.
Pakistan’s government announces Ramadan relief packages before the holy month commences every year, when Muslims across the world fast from dawn till sunset. During Ramadan, household expenses surge as families spend on essential items such as flour, sugar, ghee and others.
Pakistan’s national space agency announced last week that the Ramadan crescent would likely be visible in the country on Feb. 18, with the first fast expected to fall on Feb. 19, subject to official confirmation.
