ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Navy Guided Missile Frigate ASLAT along with embarkedZ9EC Helicopter visited Saint Petersburg, Russia as part of overseasdeployment to Mediterranean and European regions.

Earlier, Ship had visited Port Aqaba (Jordan), Algiers (Algeria) andPortsmouth (UK). It may be worth mentioning that this is first everPakistan Navy’s footprint in Baltic Sea since independence and istherefore, of strategic significance for Pakistan and Russian Federation, apress release issued here by Directorate of Public Relations of PakistanNavy on Wednesday said.

Upon arrival, PNS ASLAT was warmly welcomed and received by Ambassador ofPakistan, Defence Attaché (Pakistan), Deputy Head of Leningrad Naval Base,Head of International Military Cooperation, Department of Western MilitaryDistrict and Liaison Officer from Leningrad Naval Base along with RussianFederation Navy Officers.

Russian Federation Navy (RFN) band was present on the jetty and playedmelodious welcoming tunes. Ship’s arrival was attended by Reps of localRussian and Pakistani media and news channels.

A short media interaction with Mission Commander, Ambassador of Pakistanand Commanding Officer was also held onboard.PNS ASLAT Port call to Russia was planned after receiving formal invitationfrom Russian Federation Naval Commander-in-Chief for participation in NavyDay Celebrations of Russian Navy at Saint Petersburg.

It is great honour for Pakistan Navy and recognition of Pakistan’sstrategic significance that PNS ASLAT was the only foreign warship whichparticipated in Russian Navy’s mega annual event of Navy Day Parade.President of Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, graced that occasion aschief guest.

Vice Admiral Kaleem Shaukat, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, representedPakistan Navy at Navy Day Parade along with Commodore Muhammad FaisalAbbasi, Mission Commander onboard PNS ASLAT.

During three days Port Call, PN delegation headed by Commodore MuhammadFaisal Abbasi held meetings with Vice Governor Saint Petersburg andCommander Leningrad Naval Base. Moreover, Cross-Ship visits were alsoconducted with RFN which helped in enhancing mutual understanding. PNSASLAT was also opened for Russian citizens for strengthening people topeople contact.

PNS ASLAT port call to Saint Petersburg will help in strengtheningbilateral relations between naval forces of both countries. Pakistan Navymaiden deployment to Baltic Sea re-affirms government of Pakistandetermination to promote bilateral ties and defence cooperation with allfriendly regional and extra-regional countries.