ISLAMABAD: The Omani and Pakistani navies conducted a joint passage exercise in regional waters aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening maritime cooperation between the two countries, Pakistan Navy said on Sunday.

The development came after a Pakistani flotilla, comprising naval ships Rah Naward and Madadgar and a Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship PMSS Kashmir, visited Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat, according to the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Pakistan Navy. 

“Following the port call, PN and PMSA ships conducted a passage exercise with Royal Oman Navy ship KHASAB,” the DGPR said in a statement.

“The exercise at sea aimed to enhance interoperability between the two navies and promote shared learning through bilateral conduct of naval exercises.”

During the visit, Pakistani Mission Commander Commodore Amir Iqbal, along with commanding officers, held meetings with Omani naval leadership, according to the statement.

“During these interactions, matters of mutual interest, navy-to-navy engagements, and cooperation in maritime security were discussed,” the statement read.

“RNO (Royal Navy of Oman) officers and midshipmen also visited onboard ships and discussed topics of mutual maritime interest with PN officers.”

Pakistan and Oman are maritime neighbors and frequently hold visits of dignitaries, port calls by ships and joint exercises.

Last month, naval commanders of Pakistan and Oman met in Islamabad and signed an agreement to share shipping information with each other.

“The MoU is aimed at establishing of guidelines and procedures for information sharing in order to enhance mutual awareness of white shipping,” Pakistan Navy said in a statement.