KARACHI: Acting US Consul General John Warner and other representatives of the US Mission to Pakistan attended a commissioning ceremony hosted by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) for two 110-foot Island-Class patrol boats. The boats were provided by the United States to the PMSA via a grant transfer on December 7, 2016. Over the last year, more than 40 Pakistani sailors received training in Baltimore, Maryland, on how to operate and maintain these patrol boats. The transfer of the vessels, valued at nearly $16 million, contributes to shared US-Pakistan security interests. The patrol boats enhance the PMSA’s ability to conduct maritime security operations promoting the free flow of commerce while detecting income-generating narcotics and contraband that could be used by terrorists to fund and conceal their organizations. This is just one of many examples of ongoing cooperation between US and Pakistani military forces, bolstering our mutual security by working together to confront shared challenges. Published in Daily Times, September 22nd 2017.