ISLAMABAD; Pakistan Navy Ship SAIF visited Jeddah (Kingdom of SaudiArabia), during first Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) deploymentinstituted recently by the Pakistan Navy. The objective of RMSP is tomaintain presence along critical choke points/ maritime areas to fulfillinternational obligations for maritime security and safeguard nationalshipping while observing freedom of navigation across high seas.
The PNS SAIF is the front line destroyer of Pakistan Navy Fleet and is the3rd ship of sword class frigate, fitted with state of the art robustweapons and sensors. The ship is capable to undertaking all types ofmaritime operations in multi threat environment. PNS SAIF is also embarkedwith organic Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopter Z9-EC.
During stay at port, Commanding Officer of PNS SAIF Captain Shahid Wasif PNcalled on senior Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) officials, including RearAdmiral Hamid Bin Bakhit Aljahni, RSNF Western Fleet Commander and othersenior Military Officials. During the call, Commanding Officer PNS SAIFconveyed well wishes from Chief of the Naval, Staff Admiral Zafar MahmoodAbbasi to the people of Saudi Arabia in general and RSNF personnel inparticular.
During four days stay at Jeddah, Ship’s crew visited different RSNFtraining facilities. Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Pakistan ViceAdmiral (R) Khan Hasham Bin Saddique visited onboard and interacted withship’s crew. A reception dinner was also hosted onboard in the honour ofdiplomats and officials from RSNF.
PNS SAIF is the first ship deployed under the Pakistan Navy’s RMSPinitiative in the Gulf of Aden and Southern Red Sea regions. RegionalMaritime Security Patrols has been instituted, in line with the UNResolutions and UN Convention on Law of the Sea for protection of nationaland international shipping against the threats of maritime terrorism,piracy, narco-arms smuggling and human trafficking.
Pakistan Navy has remained forthcoming and committed in the fight againstterrorism and piracy in the face of heavy odds, and through RegionalMaritime Security Patrols, Pakistan Navy would indeed help ensuring safemaritime environment in the region besides projecting Pakistan’s good imagein international community and provide recognition as one of the modern andprogressive nations of the world.