ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Saif, with embarked anti-submarine warfare helicopter Z9EC, visited Colombo Port from November 5 – 8 for a goodwill cum training visit to Sri Lanka.
According to a statement issued by the Navy, the PNS Saif is a front line warship of Pakistan Navy fleet, fitted with state-of-the -art weapons and sensors; and is capable of undertaking all types of maritime operations in multi-threat environments.
Upon the ship’s arrival at Colombo, a warm welcome was given by Sri Lankan Navy (SLN). During the stay at port, PNS Saif Commanding Officer Captain Shahzad Iqbal called on senior naval officials from Sri Lankan Navy including Sri Lankan Navy Commander Vice Admiral S S Ranasinghe, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle, General Operations Director Rear Admiral KKVPH De Silva and other high ranking officials.
During the three-day stay at the port, PN officers visited different Sri Lankan Navy units/ installations/ training facilities. The ship also took part in bilateral naval exercises off Colombo with Sri Lankan Navy Ship Sayura.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan have enjoyed friendly relations for a long time now. In the aftermath of flash floods in Sri Lanka in May this year and land sliding due torrential rains, PNS Zulfiquar was immediately dispatched by the government of Pakistan for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission, said the navy. The timely assistance rendered by the ship was highly praised by the Sri Lankan government and widely acknowledged in their local media.
The visit provided ample opportunity to Pakistan and Sri Lankan Naval officers to learn through professional interactions with their counterparts and to enhance interoperability and mutual coordination, said the navy.
Published in Daily Times, November 10th 2017.
