Islamabad: Pakistan Navy Ship ASLAT visited Port Algiers, Algeria as part of overseas deployment to Mediterranean and European countries on July 14.
This was the first ever visit by a Pakistan Navy Ship to Algeria. Defence Attaché of Pakistan, Brigadier Shahzad Iftikhar Bhatti along with Algerian Navy Liaison Officer boarded the Ship at sea.
Upon arrival at Port, Pakistan Navy ship (PNS) ASLAT was warmly welcomed in a traditional naval manner and wide media coverage was given by Algerian Navy Media.
Pakistan Navy delegation headed by Commodore Muhammad Faisal Abbasi held meetings with Brigadier General Samah Zineddine, Commander Central Maritime Region Algerian Navy and Brigadier General
Karboua Mourad.
Pakistan Navy Delegation also visited Algerian Naval Academy and was warmly welcomed by the Commandant.
A reception dinner was hosted onboard on first day of ship's arrival which was attended by large number of guests.Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Libya, Mexico, Poland and Sweden attended the dinner.
Naval Exercises at sea comprising tactical manoeuvres, communication exercises, drills and Maritime Interdiction Operations procedures between Pakistan Navy Ship ASLAT and Algerian Navy Ship RAIS KORFOU were also conducted to enhance interoperability and to share each other's experience.
PN Ship ASLAT visit to Algiers will play a vital role to support diplomatic and military ties between two countries. It is believed that the goodwill generated through ASLAT visit to Algeria will go a long way in furthering Pakistan's Foreign Policy objectives and will provide impetus to existing bonds of friendship and brotherhood between two important Muslim countries.
