ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship NASR arrived in Djibouti carrying a full load of 1000 metric tonnes rice for calamity-hit people of the African country.
President Assemblee Nationale of Republic of Djibouti Mohamed Ali Houmed welcomed the visit of PNS NASR to Djibouti and thanked the Government of Pakistan for the support.
NASR is a replenishment ship serving Pakistan Navy since 1987. The ship is led by Commodore Shafqat Hussain Akhtar, Commander 9th Auxiliary Warfare Squadron. The PNS NASR was received by Shozab Abbas, Ambassador of Pakistan accredited Djibouti, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mohamed Ali Houmed also emphasised to swiftly build sisterly relations between Djibouti City and Gwadar. He acknowledged that global sustainable development hinges on the durable solution of all outstanding conflicts in the world including Jammu and Kashmir.
During the stay, Ambassador Abbas and Mission Commander Shafqat called on Chief of Djiboutian Navy, Colonel Ahmed Daher Djama. The two sides discussed matters of mutual interests and contributions of Pakistan’s Peacekeepers in strengthening peace and stability in Africa.
The Djiboutian Naval Chief highly applauded the role of Pakistan Navy in combating piracy and fighting against serious hydrological hazards in Arabian Sea region.
The ambassador hosted a banquet in honor of visiting Pakistani Naval officers, which was attended by senior Djiboutian politicians, Navy officers, diplomats and leading Pakistani businessmen based in Djibouti.
PNS NASR is on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission to assist the vulnerable population affected by natural disasters in African countries.
During the deployment, PNS Nasr will provide assistance to the people of Djibouti, Sudan and Niger. The ship will also pay a goodwill visit to Mombasa, Kenya.
Pakistan Navy sent its humanitarian aid ship to Africa in line with the government’s ‘Engage Africa’ policy that seeks to enhance bilateral relations and to explore new avenues of cooperation with African countries.
