By Syed Mussarat Khalil
Pakistan’s Navy Ship (PNS) “Moawin” visited Jeddah Islamic port on Tuesday 06 September 2022. Capt. Mohammed Abdullah Siddiqui, the Commander of Pakistan Navy Ship PNS ‘Moawin’ held a dinner reception in honour of Ahmed Muhammad Al-Asiri Commander, Saudi Royal Naval Forces (SRNF), the Saudi naval officers, consul generals, diplomats, and a cross-section of the Pakistani community to mark the defence day of Pakistan here at Jeddah Islamic Port.
The ceremony begins with the playing of the national anthem of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In his welcome address Capt. Mohammed Abdullah Siddiqui, Commanding Officer Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Moawin thanked the Consulate General of Pakistan Khalid Majid and the Saudi government for extending excellent hospitality to the officers and officials. Also for giving an opportunity to interact with the Pakistani community living in Saudi Arabia. He said a few words about the visiting ship PNS Moawin. He said it is the second ship of the Pakistan Navy named as PNS Moawin.
It was commissioned on 16 October 2018 at Karachi shipyard Engineering works Pakistan. PNS Moawin is the biggest combat support ship ever built in Pakistan. The ship is capable to supply fuel, water and ammunition to Pakistan Navy combats and auxiliary units. It is also kept state-of-the-art medical facilities to support Pakistan Navy during wars and disaster relief missions, he added.
Captain Abdullah Siddiqui said the visit of PNS ‘Moawin’ to Saudi Arabia will further strengthen the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He said that the Royal Saudi Navy and Pakistan Navy enjoy cordial ties and have a close professional relationship and hold several joint naval pieces of training and exercises. He said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long, time-tested, and mutually supportive relations, whose roots are attached to people-to-people relationships.
Captain Abdullah Siddiqui said the naval forces have historically played a pivotal role in strengthening the bond of friendship between nations. Saudi Navy and Pakistan Navy have a very close professional relationship. He said that the navies of both countries enjoyed cordial ties and both the countries have held a number of joint training and exercises. He said that Saudi Arabia has a very significant role and position in the region. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long, time-tested and mutually supportive relations. The roots of these relations are founded on people-to-people relationships. I hope that the visit will further strengthen and augment our friendship and open further cooperation, said Capt. Abdullah Siddiqui.
Captain Abdullah said that Pakistan believes in promoting peace and security in the region. It has remained committed to international resolve to maintain stability and curb terrorism in all its forms. The visit of the ship coincided with Defence Day celebrations of Sept. 06. He congratulated all the participants. Later, the Saudi and Pakistani Naval officers, along with the consul general, commemorated the day by cutting a Pak-Saudi friendship cake. The dinner was held on the deck of the ship at Jeddah Islamic Port.
