ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistan Navy (PN) ships NASR (A-47) and SAIF (FFG-253) Saturday undertook a port visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka during their overseas deployment to South East Asian countries.
The PN flotilla is being commanded by Commodore Zakaur Rehman, commander 25th Destroyer Squadron.
The PN flotilla was received by Western Naval Base of Sri Lankan Navy commander operations and defence attaché of Pakistan to Sri Lanka. A large number of Sri Lankan navy officers were also present on the occasion.
Sri Lankan Naval band played welcome tunes, including Pakistani national songs, in the honour of the visiting PN ships.
The mission commander along with commanding officers of both ships called on Western Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle and Chief of Staff Sri Lankan Navy Rear Admiral SS Ranasinghe. A reception dinner was also hosted by the mission commander onboard a PN ship.
The PN flotilla participated in a joint drill with Sri Lankan Navy ships SAGARA (P-622) and SURANIMILA (P-702) in the Indian Ocean. The exercise was aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two navies.
It is expected that recent that the joint exercise will strengthen bilateral relations and naval collaboration between both the navies.
