Pakistani warship on goodwill visit

Dubai: Pakistan warship PNS Khaibar arrived at Port Rashid on Thursday on a goodwill visit and will be in the UAE till tomorrow.

A reception was held onboard the vessel commanded by Captain Alam Afzal on Thursday. Amongst dignitaries, diplomats and officials, the reception was also attended by Major General Ebrahim Salem Al Musharrakh, UAE Naval Forces Commander.

"The goodwill visit of PNS Khaibar is important to further develop and strengthen the historic and friendly relations between Pakistan and the UAE," Capt Afzal said in his short speech on the occasion. He also thanked the UAE for its hospitality and said that the ship has been involved in the anti-piracy campaign in the region.

Elyas Sultan, defence attache at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, said that UAE-Pakistan ties in the field of naval cooperatrion date back to the early 70s and both navies have been conducting joint exercises since then. He said the goodwill visits of naval ships further enhance cooperation between the two countries.

Capt Afzal, along with his team, is visiting various operational and training institutes of the UAE Navy.