PAKISTAN NAVY SIGNED CONTRACT FOR ACQUISITION OF 4 X MILGEM CLASS WAR SHIPS WITH TURKEY

Pakistan Navy has signed a contract for acquisition of 4 x MILGEM Class Ships with M/S ASFAT A.S, Turkey which is a Military Factory and Shipyard Company under the Ministry of National Defence, Turkey at Rawalpindi, Pakistan on 5 July 2018. The contract also includes complete transfer of technology' and the transfer of intellectual proprietary rights for the design of these ships to Pakistan. The 1st and 2nd ship will be built at Istanbul Naval Shipyard while two ships will be constructed at Karachi shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW). A note worthy feature of the contract is that the 4th warship will be designed jointly by Pakistan's Maritime Technologies Complex (MTC) and will be the first indigenously designed & constructed Frigate. The construction of 3rd and 4th ship at KS&EW will not only enhance the industrial production confidence and the ships construction potential but also contribute towards national economy, creating new jobs and development of highly skilled human resource of the Karachi Shipyard. 

The MILGEM Class Ships contract will go a long way in fostering Pak-Turkey strategic relations which have grown with time. The induction of these Ships will substantially enhance Pakistan Navy's Combat Capabilities and will contribute effectively towards Maritime Security Operations in the region. 

MILGEM Class Ship is a capable and extremely potent platform, favorably comparable with any contemporary warship of modern navies. The ship is equipped with modern stealth features, and state of the art 5th generation weapons and sensors including indigenously developed missile system, hence configured to undertake multifaceted operations in all domains of naval warfare. The acquisition of these modern ships will enhance manifold the capabilities of Pakistan's Naval Forces which are an ardent guarantor of Maritime Security and stability across the region and beyond. 

Pakistan’s Envoy to Republic of Kosovo presents his credentials

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Republic of Kosovo (resident in Ankara), Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, presented his credentials to Kosovo’s President, H.E Mr. Hashim Thaçi in a graceful and dignified ceremony held at the Office of the President of Kosovo on 2 July 2018 in Pristina. 

Ambassador Qazi conveyed heartfelt sentiments and warm wishes on behalf of the President of Pakistan, H.E Mamnoon Hussein as well as the people of Pakistan for the peace and prosperity of the brotherly people of Kosovo. President Thaçi thanked the people and the Government of Pakistan for their warm sentiments and support. Both sides expressed the desire to expand bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest on the occasion.

Ambassador of Pakistan also called on the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, H.E Mr. Enver Hoxhaj, and reiterated Pakistan’s support for all efforts aimed towards peace and stability in the Balkans. Views were also exchanged on issues of regional and international importance during the meeting. 

Later, in the meeting with the Foreign Minister of Kosovo, H.E Behgjet Isa Pacolli, the entire spectrum of Kosovo-Pakistan bilateral relations came under discussion. Both sides reiterated their commitment to institutionalize bilateral contacts in various areas of cooperation, as well as to expand the scope of the bilateral collaboration to include new avenues in the realm of political, economic, commercial, cultural, and educational fields. 

The Ambassador also held a meeting with the President of the Assembly of Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Kadri Veseli, and underlined that parliamentary diplomacy could play an important role in forging stronger relations between the two countries. The need for exploring the possibility for the establishment of a Pakistan-Kosovo Parliamentary Friendship Group in the respective Parliaments was also agreed during the meeting. 

In his meeting with the Minister of Economy of Kosovo, Mr. Valdrin Lluka, the two sides reached an understanding on evolving institutional mechanisms to promote economic and commercial cooperation as well as to enhance awareness about trade and investment opportunities available in the two countries.

Ambassador Syrus Sajjad Qazi also held a meeting with the President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Safet Gerxhaliu, during which the two sides agreed to promote interactions between the Chambers of Commerce of the two countries, including through the possible establishment of Pakistan-Kosovo Business Council.