Pakistan holds joint sailing operations with Italian Navy in Gulf of Oman

Pakistan Navy’s training ship “Rah Naward” participates in a joint sailing operation with Italian Navy sail ship Amerigo Vespucci in the Gulf of Oman on January 18, 2025. (Pakistan Navy)
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Updated 19 January 2025
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Pakistan holds joint sailing operations with Italian Navy in Gulf of Oman

  • Joint sailing operations provided unique training platform for cadets, says Pakistan Navy 
  • Pakistan Navy regularly partakes in bilateral exercises with countries to foster collaboration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy’s training ship “Rah Naward” this week conducted joint sailing operations with Italian Navy sail ship Amerigo Vespucci in the Gulf of Oman, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement, saying that the exercise provided a unique training experience for cadets. 

The exercise was part of the Pakistani ship’s overseas deployment to Oman, aimed at fostering goodwill and providing practical training to cadets from the Pakistan Naval Academy, the Pakistan Navy said. 

It said the exercise offered opportunities for cadets to enhance their skills in joint sailing operations. 

“The planning and execution of this exercise, conducted while both ships were on their respective national tasking; exemplifies the high level of coordination and professionalism shared between the two navies,” the Pakistan Navy said. 

It said the joint sailing operations provided a unique learning platform for cadets but also showcased distinct sailing techniques of two “Tall Ships” from different regions. 

Tall ships are large sailing vessels with tall masts and traditional rigging.

“This interaction underscores the enduring collaboration and growing interoperability between the Pakistan Navy and global naval forces,” it added. 

Pakistan Navy regularly partakes in bilateral exercises with regional countries to stem the spread of illegal maritime activities such as human smuggling, piracy and drug trafficking.


One dead, four injured as gas cylinder explosion triggers fire in Karachi building

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One dead, four injured as gas cylinder explosion triggers fire in Karachi building

  • Fire triggered by gas cylinder explosion in Karachi’s Bismillah Residency in North Nazimabad area, say police
  • Many households in Pakistan rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders which are susceptible to gas explosions

ISLAMABAD: One person was killed while four others were injured in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi after a gas cylinder exploded, triggering a fire inside a residential building, police and rescue officials said on Sunday.

The fire was caused on Saturday night by a gas cylinder explosion at a flat in Bismillah Residency located in Karachi’s North Nazimabad area, Sindh Police said in a statement. Local media reports said the flat was located on the ninth floor of the high-rise building.

Rescue 1122 Sindh emergency service said its firefighters arrived shortly after the fire was reported and doused the flames on Sunday morning. It said all of the building’s occupants, except for the one person who was killed by the fire, were rescued.

“The child who died in the fire that broke out following a cylinder blast in a building has been identified as Burhan, son of Aoun, aged 15,” Rescue 1122 spokesperson said in a statement.

It said the injured included two women, one man and a four-year-old girl.

“All the injured were shifted to hospital after receiving immediate medical aid, and the rescue operation has been completed,” the spokesperson added.

This is the second such explosion to take place in Karachi in less than a week. At least 15 people were killed, including women and children, when a gas cylinder exploded in a residential building in the city’s Soldier Bazaar area on Thursday.

Most houses and apartment buildings in Karachi, like elsewhere in Pakistan, are supplied with natural gas for cooking. However, many households also rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure.

In July, a gas explosion following a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, killed eight people, including the bride and groom.

A massive fire at a popular shopping mall in Karachi last month killed over 70 people.