PN ship Aslat anchors at German port during goodwill visit

HAMBURG: Pakistan Navy (PN) ship ASLAT, a F-22P Frigate with an embarked helicopter, called on Hamburg, port of Germany, as part of the Overseas Deployment to Mediterranean and European Countries for three days.

Upon arrival at the port, ASLAT was warmly welcomed and received by a representative from Pakistan’s Mission at Germany and officials of the Hamburg Regional Command. Ship’s Port Call was fully capitalized in terms of professional and social interactions with the host country.

PN Mission Cdr along with Commanding Officer and Naval Attaché held meetings with Vice Admiral Andreas Krause Chief of German Navy, Rear Admiral Thorsten Kahler, Chief of Staff German Navy, Councilor of State of Hamburg and Commanding Officer Regional Command Hamburg. H.E Ambassador of Pakistan to Germany was also present on the occasions. Moreover, Mission Commander along with the Commanding Officer and Naval Attaché laid wreath at Naval Memorial Laboe, Kiel. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Officers/CPOs and Sailors from the ship.

During the interactions, enormous goodwill and warmth were expressed by German authorities for the people of Pakistan in general and Pakistan Armed Forces in particular. The ship also hosted a reception at Hamburg which was attended by large number of notable Pakistani and German officials. Vice Admiral Joachim Ruhle, Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Axel Schimpf Former Chief of German Navy, Director Material Command and Control Services German Navy, H.E Ambassador of Pakistan, Counsel Generals of Argentina, China, Colombia, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Venezuela, Defence Attaches of Kuwait, South Korea and Ukraine, Desk Officers Military Policy (Asia Pacific and South Asia), prominent local community and Pakistan Diaspora along with students undergoing various graduate programmes in Germany attended the Dinner. Ship was also opened for visitors ana d large number of the local populace and Pakistani expatriates visited the ship.

Naval Forces have historically played a pivotal role in strengthening the bonds of friendship between nations through goodwill visits and port calls. In the same context, maiden Port Call to Hamburg, Germany by ASLAT will not only prove supportive in achieving Pakistan’s Foreign Policy Objectives but also foster Navy to Navy relations and will go a long way in improving diplomatic and military ties between Pakistan and the Federal Republic of Germany.