KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday launched a 17,000-tonne heavy Pakistan Navy warship fleet tanker, at the Karachi Shipyard.

The fleet tanker was built in collaboration with Turkish firm Savunma Teknologiler Muhendisilik (STM). The design of the fleet tanker was prepared by Turkey and executed in the Karachi Shipyard.

The prime minister expressed the hope that Pakistan would continue to collaborate with the Turkish government and businesses to build more ships at the Karachi Shipyard.

He said self reliance in defence production is the objective of his government, which supports indigenisation in all technological spheres.

Nawaz Sharif said the government is committed to consolidate maritime infrastructure along the coast from Karachi to Gwadar to provide facilities for trade expansion.

He appreciated the Karachi Shipyard, Pakistan Navy and Ministry of Defence Production for launching the ship two months ahead of schedule. He added that the fleet tanker would be remembered as a symbol of 'time-tested' Pakistan-Turkey friendship.

Lauding the efforts of the Karachi Shipyard employees for completing the warship ahead of schedule, the prime Minister announced Rs100 million as bonus for them.