ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia concluded their annual Affaa Al Sahil naval exercise in Karachi on Wednesday with a demonstration of intense firepower, close quarter combat and hostage rescue, according to a statement by Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The exercise, which has been conducted annually since 2011 between the Pakistan Navy’s Special Service Group and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ Special Operations Forces, focused on enhancing interoperability and tactical coordination.
It follows Naseem Al Bahr-XV, another bilateral naval exercise between the two countries, and Aman 2025, a multinational maritime drill aimed at promoting regional maritime cooperation.
“The joint naval exercise Affaa Al Sahil between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ Special Operations Forces concluded in Karachi,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“The training drills included RPG [rocket-propelled grenade] firing, machine gun firing, close quarters combat, practical rappelling, hostage rescue, visit board search and seizure, explosive ordnance disposal drills, mission planning and advanced area clearance techniques,” it added.
The closing ceremony of the exercise was attended by Commander Coast Rear Admiral Faisal Amin along with senior officials from both navies.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close defense ties, with their navies regularly participating in joint drills to improve maritime security and counter asymmetric threats in the region.
“This joint exercise will help strengthen mutual capabilities and coordination in countering maritime security challenges,” the ISPR added.
Pakistan, Saudi forces conclude naval drills with display of firepower and combat tactics
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Pakistan, Saudi forces conclude naval drills with display of firepower and combat tactics
- The two countries maintain close defense ties, with their navies regularly participating in joint drills
- Affaa Al Sahil follows Naseem Al Bahr-XV and Aman 2025 exercises to enhance maritime coordination
Pakistan reports decline in polio cases in 2025
- Cases drop to 30 from 74 in 2024, with no new infections recorded since September
- Authorities plan intensified targeted drives in 2026 to halt remaining transmission
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reported a sharp decline in polio cases in 2025, with infections falling to 30 from 74 a year earlier, as intensified vaccination campaigns and improved surveillance helped curb the spread of the virus, health authorities said on Wednesday.
No new polio cases have been recorded anywhere in the country since September, said a statement, as Pakistan carried out six polio campaigns, including five nationwide drives, trying to reach children in high-risk areas and improve monitoring of virus circulation.
Despite the decline, the authorities cautioned that poliovirus continues to circulate in some districts, requiring sustained vigilance to prevent a resurgence.
“Targeted interventions, robust community engagement, and ongoing vaccination efforts remain essential to reach every missed child and prevent any resurgence,” the official statement said.
“Frontline health workers, security personnel, and local authorities continue to work in close coordination to maintain high immunity levels and ensure that Pakistan remains on course toward becoming polio-free,” it added.
The most recent nationwide campaign, conducted from Dec. 15 to 21, achieved more than 98 percent coverage across the country, including all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the capital, Islamabad.
Authorities reported an 18 percent reduction in the number of missed children compared with the previous round, with notable improvements in access and operations in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a longstanding challenge area.
Pakistan’s polio eradication drive relies on close coordination between health workers, security personnel and local authorities, amid ongoing resistance in some communities and access constraints in remote or insecure regions.
Officials said district-specific interventions, including improved microplanning, better deployment of vaccination teams and enhanced community outreach, were being used to address remaining gaps, particularly in parts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The statement said Pakistan plans to intensify targeted efforts in 2026 to interrupt the remaining transmission chains and move closer to eliminating the disease.
