JEDDAH — The naval forces of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan maintain excellentcordial relations and both have been engaged in several joint trainingexercises, Captain Muhammad Akram, Commanding Officer of Pakistan NavalShip PNS Alamgir, said here on Saturday.
He was speaking at a reception dinner in honor of the Saudi naval officers,consuls general, diplomats and Pakistan community representatives aboardthe ship which docked at Jeddah Islamic Port. Consul General of Pakistan,Khalid Majid, and officers of the consulate were also present at theoccasion. Commander Ahmed Muhammad Al-Asiri represented the Saudi RoyalForces.
At the onset of the reception, national anthems of Saudi Arabia andPakistan were played.
Welcomed the guests on board, Captain Akram thanked the Saudi governmentfor extending excellent hospitality and Umrah opportunity to the officialsand the crew. He said that every Pakistani has a special place in his heartfor Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He said Saudi Arabia has a very significant role and position in theregion. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long, time tested and mutuallysupportive relations. The roots of these relations are found inpeople-to-people relationships, he added.
Captain Akram made a special mention of atrocities in the Indian OccupiedKashmir (IOK) and grave human rights violations by the Indian army. He saidPakistan will continue to extend diplomatic, moral and political support tothe Kashmir cause and hoped that the world will stand in solidarity withthe oppressed people of Kashmir. A short documentary on Indian atrocitiesin Kashmir was also shown at the occasion.
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Consul General Majid said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have brotherlyrelations which have strengthened over the time. “Pak-Saudi bilateral tieshave expanded in all fields including defense, trade, investment and othersectors of economy,” he said.
Later, the Saudi and Pakistani Naval officers, along with the consulgeneral, commemorated the day by cutting a Pak-Saudi friendship cake.
Arshad Munir, Consul (Press) at Pakistan Consulate in Jeddah, told SaudiGazette that the ship is returning back to Pakistan after participating ina joint petrol with Turkish Navy in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
