ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy warship Yarmook participated in two defense exhibitions held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the navy said on Friday, highlighting the South Asian nation’s robust defense ties and active role in global maritime security.
The International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) and Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX), held on Feb. 21-25 in Abu Dhabi, are premier global platforms to showcase advanced defense technologies and latest innovations, and to foster international collaboration.
More than 200,000 visitors attended the joint exhibition that saw participation of over 1,500 exhibitors from 65 countries, according to the IDEX website. Naval vessels from eight nations, including Pakistan, participated in the exhibition.
Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, the Pakistani ship was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, followed by the Yarmook commanding officer’s meetings with various dignitaries to discuss matters of mutual interest, according to Pakistan Navy’s Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR).
“During its stay, PNS YARMOOK remained open to visitors and welcomed numerous officials from the armed forces, business, and corporate sectors,” the DGPR said in a statement.
“Distinguished visitors included the UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Romania’s Minister of National Defense, Yemen’s Defense Minister, the Chief of the Romanian Naval Forces, the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Naval Forces, the Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, the Commander of the Royal Bahrain Navy, and the CEO of DAMEN Shipyard.”
Pakistan’s participation in NAVDEX 2025 highlights its strong defense ties with the UAE and its active role in global maritime security initiatives.
“Upon departure, PNS YARMOOK also conducted a passage exercise with the UAE Navy Ship AL-EMARAT,” the DGPR added.
PNS Yarmook regularly participates in joint operations and exercises with friendly countries in addition to its own operations.
Last July, Pakistan deployed PNS Yarmook to protect commercial vessels arriving at its ports. In August 2024, the warship conducted bilateral exercises with allied navies in Bahrain as part of a Regional Maritime Security Patrol deployment, aimed at enhancing naval coordination and joint operational capabilities in the region.
Pakistan Navy ship Yarmook participates in UAE defense exhibitions
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Pakistan Navy ship Yarmook participates in UAE defense exhibitions
- PNS Yarmook participates in IDEX and NAVDEX exhibition held in Abu Dhabi from Feb. 21-25
- Over 200,000 visitors attend exhibition comprising over 1,500 participants from 65 countries
Pakistan says Afghan forces opened ‘unprovoked’ border fire, warns of retaliation
- Incident follows Pakistan’s weekend strikes on TTP and Daesh targets inside Afghanistan
- Escalation threatens fragile ceasefire along 2,600-km frontier linking South and Central Asia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday accused Afghan Taliban forces of opening “unprovoked” fire along their shared border and warned that any further aggression would draw a swift response.
The latest exchange comes amid sharply rising tensions between the two neighbors following Pakistan’s weekend strikes targeting what it described as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh militant camps inside Afghanistan. Kabul said the strikes killed civilians and condemned them as violations of its sovereignty, vowing to respond.
Cross-border violence has intensified since Pakistan blamed recent suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu on militants it says are based in Afghanistan. Islamabad maintains that militant safe havens across the border are driving a surge in attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies.
Mosharraf Zaidi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson for foreign media, said Afghan forces opened fire near the Torkham border crossing and Tirah Valley in Pakistan’s northwest.
“Pakistan’s security forces responded immediately and effectively silencing the Taliban aggression,” he told Arab News. “Any further provocation will be responded to immediately and severely, god willing. Pakistan will continue to protect its citizens and guard its territorial integrity.”
The incident marks the second major escalation in less than a year. Similar Pakistani strikes last year triggered weeklong clashes before Qatar, Turkiye and other regional actors mediated a tenuous ceasefire in October.
The 2,600-kilometer (1,600-mile) frontier, a key trade and transit corridor linking Pakistan to landlocked Afghanistan and onward to Central Asia, has faced repeated closures amid tensions, disrupting commerce and humanitarian movement. Trade between the two nations has remained closed since October.
Analysts warn that sustained military exchanges risk undermining diplomatic efforts to stabilize ties, including a Saudi-mediated initiative earlier this month that secured the release of three Pakistani soldiers.
Separately on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sharif discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani during talks in Doha, according to a statement from Sharif’s office. Both sides emphasized dialogue and de-escalation to promote regional stability.
