Pakistan navy ship SAIF visits Casablanca to enhance maritime collaboration

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) SAIF on Sunday visited Port Casablanca, Morocco for goodwill as well as, a training visit.

PNS SAIF is the frontline warship of PN Fleet’s 18^th Destroyer Squadron. The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors for undertaking all types of maritime operations in a multi-threat environment. The ship is also embarked with an organic anti-submarine warfare helicopter Z9EC.

Upon arrival at Port Casablanca, the ship was received by the Moroccan navy liaison officer and officials from Embassy of Pakistan in Rabat.

Pakistan and Morocco enjoy close and brotherly ties at all levels of diplomatic and defence relations. Pakistan Navy is duly cognisant of the need to enhance maritime collaboration with navies of friendly countries in the form of regular ships’ port visits, the extension of its training facilities, participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises, and visits of senior PN officers to explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation.

This ships visit came after a gap of 13 years as the last port call by PN ships to this important North African Muslim country took place in the year 2005.

Commander Coast (COMCOAST) Rear Admiral Moazzam Ilyas represented PN during official engagements on the occasion of ship’s port call. During the ship’s stay at Casablanca, the COMCOAST called on senior naval officials from Moroccan Navy including Rear Admiral Lahcen Lyamlouli, Commanding Military Region Casablanca Flag Officer, Captain Vice Major Tahin and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations.

Matters of mutual interests were discussed in the meetings and both sides agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in various the maritime fields. During these interactions, the COMCOAST also conveyed well wishes from Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi to the people of Morocco in general and Moroccan Navy in particular. He also extended his gratitude for the whole-hearted support provided by Moroccan Navy and Casablanca Port Authorities in making ship’s stay comfortable and professionally rewarding.

PNS SAIF’s visit to Casablanca was given wide coverage both in the electronic and print media of Morocco. During three days stay at Casablanca, PN crew members visited Moroccan Navy Ship SULTAN MOULAY ISMAIL (F-614) whereas, Moroccan Navy officers visited PNS SAIF for professional interactions.

A reception was also held onboard which was attended by a large number of diplomatic communities, defence attaches’ and senior Moroccan military officials.

On completion of the port visit, PNS SAIF conducted a trilateral passage exercise (PASSEX) off Casablanca with French Navy Ship MISTRAL (L-9013) and Moroccan Navy Ship ALLAL BEN ABDALLAH (F-941). The trilateral PASSEX was aimed to enhance cooperation and interoperability at a tactical level as well as, sharing of mutual experiences at sea with friendly naval forces.