Pakistan Navy ship Yarmook participates in UAE defense exhibitions

The handout image released by the Pakistan Navy on February 28, 2025, shows Pakistan Navy officials welcome the UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan (second right), onboard PNS Yarmook during International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) and Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVADEX) in Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (DG-PR Pakistan Navy)
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Updated 28 February 2025
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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

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 arrests suspect arriving from Cambodia amid crackdown on human smuggling

Updated 14 December 2025
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Pakistan arrests suspect arriving from Cambodia amid crackdown on human smuggling

  • Suspect worked at an “online fraud company” in Cambodia, later started smuggling people from Pakistan, says FIA
  • Pakistan has intensified crackdown against human smugglers after hundreds of migrants drowned near Pylos in 2023

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday said it had arrested a key suspect involved in smuggling humans who had arrived from Cambodia, alleging he was also part of an international fraud network. 

The suspect, identified as Zainullah, was arrested by FIA officials when he arrived in the southern port city of Karachi from Cambodia. 

Zainullah had traveled from Pakistan to Cambodia in September 2024, a press release issued by the agency said. 

“He worked at an online fraud company in Cambodia and later became involved as an agent in recruiting individuals from Pakistan,” the FIA said. 

The FIA said it recovered images of multiple individuals’ passports, payment receipts and bank transaction records after extracting data from Zainullah’s phone. 

It said the suspect received money through personal bank accounts and a cryptocurrency account.

“The suspect has been handed over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, Karachi, for further legal proceedings,” the FIA said. 

“Further investigation is underway.”

Pakistan intensified action against illegal migration in 2023 after hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drowned when an overcrowded vessel sank off the Greek town of Pylos, one of the deadliest boat disasters in the Mediterranean. 

Authorities say they continue to target networks sending citizens abroad through dangerous routes, following heightened scrutiny at airports and a series of arrests involving forged documents.

Pakistan’s interior ministry said this week illegal migration to Europe has declined by 47 percent this year after its nationwide crackdown, saying that more than 1,700 human smugglers have been arrested in 2025.