Daily Times

Pakistan Navy Ships Moawin and Aslat have arrived in Casablanca, Morocco, as part of overseas deployment to African countries.

The PN ships are headed by Commodore Abdul Munib, Commander Surface Task Group-2 as Mission Commander. Amongst visiting PN Flotilla, PNS Moawin is a Combat Support Ship retrofitted with state-of-the-art medical facilities and is commanded by Captain Zeeshan Nabi Sheikh PN, whereas PNS ASLAT, an F22P Class Guided Missile Frigate fitted with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors is being commanded by Captain Shafiq ur Rehman PN.

Another unique feature of this flotilla is that both the ships are indigenously built in Pakistan. The PN Ships’ current deployment to African countries is aimed at further enhancing cooperation amongst friendly navies. During the port visits, PN contingent will establish medical camps in African countries to generate goodwill amongst local populace and strengthen ties with host nations.

Upon arrival in Casablanca, the Moroccan Navy extended very warm welcome to the ships. Ambassador of Pakistan Hamid Asghar Khan, Head of Chancery Fariz Hasan, Defence Attaché (Pakistan) Brigadier Shahzad Iftikhar Bhatti along with Liaison Officer from Moroccan Navy received the ships at the port. PN Ships Port Call to Casablanca is aimed to strengthen friendly ties and defence cooperation between Morocco and Pakistan. Pakistan Navy has been instrumental in furthering Naval diplomacy through numerous engagements such as foreign port calls, taking part in international and regional maritime security operations/initiatives, participation and hosting bilateral/multinational exercises abroad and in Pakistan respectively.

The visit will include a number of professional and social activities which include key leadership engagements, visits to host naval facilities, professional interaction in terms of cross ship visits and discourse on professional subjects of mutual interests.

During the visit, the PN ships will also host formal lunch and reception dinner onboard and will also be opened to visitors. These events are likely to be attended by a large number of guests, including civil-military leadership, diplomats, business community, Pakistani expatriates and local populace. The ships are also scheduled to conduct an exercise with Moroccan Navy on Nov 14 off Casablanca, in the Atlantic Ocean.

On completion of the visit, the PN ships will set sail for Nouakchott, Mauritania.