Saudi Gazette.

JEDDAH — Pakistan Navy ship PNS Alamgir, which is docked at Jeddah Islamic Port, hosted a dinner on board the ship on Tuesday.

The dinner was attended by Commodore Muhammad Saeed representing the Saudi Royal Forces, officers of the Saudi Royal Navy, consuls general of various countries, diplomats, officers of Pakistan consulate, media representatives and members of the Pakistani community, according to Arshad Munir, press consul at the Pakistan Consulate General in Jeddah.

Commanding Officer of PNS Alamgir Tasawar Iqbal welcomed the guests.

In an address on the occasion, he said Pakistan believes in promoting peace and security in the region. It has remained committed to international resolve to maintain stability and to curb terrorism in all its forms. Pakistan Navy in cooperation with international and regional navies is participating in multi-national operations known as Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan and Counter Piracy deployments.

Present deployment of PNS Alamgir is reassertion of Pakistan that the maritime environment is not used for unlawful purpose, said Capt. Tasawar.

The uniqueness of the Saudi Royal Navy and Pakistan Navy is that most of the senior Saudi officers are graduates of Pakistan Naval Academy. In the same manner Saudi Royal Forces has extended on-the-job training facilities to Pakistanis officers on board their ships on a regular basis, he said, adding that «this base provides strength to our bilateral relations».

Later a cake-cutting ceremony was held and then Commodore Saeed presented a shield to Capt. Tasawar

Consul General Pakistan Shehryar Akbar Khan thanked the guests.

PNS Alamgir was on a 4-day visit to Jeddah after a long and tiring 50 days of operational duty at sea.