ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi on Tuesday at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.
Qureshi expressed pleasure with the Pakistan Navy’s operational preparedness and pledged the government’s full cooperation in dealing with growing maritime problems.
The Naval Chief emphasised Pakistan’s willingness to safeguard the country’s maritime boundaries and interests in his speech.
Previously, President Dr. Arif Alvi authorised the commissioning of ten Qatari Sea King helicopters into the Pakistan navy.
The Foreign Minister emphasised the importance of the marine industry to the economy and lauded the Pakistan Navy’s role in this respect.
The helicopters were part of the Pakistan navy’s airborne fleet.
Under Article 243 of the constitution, the President approved the commission on the suggestion of the Prime Minister.
The Qatari air force presented the Pakistan navy with ten helicopters as a gift.
On January 24, a ceremony in Karachi was organised to welcome China-built Pakistan Navy Station (PNS) Tughril and Qatar-gifted Sea-King helicopters into the Pakistan Navy fleet.
The principal guest at this event was President Dr. Arif Alvi. In his remarks on the occasion, the president stated that the Pakistan-China relationship has stood the test of time and is becoming stronger with each passing day.
He stated that, while Pakistan was a peaceful country with no sinister plans against anyone, it was also capable of foiling the enemy’s evil plans.
