Pakistan Navy ships arrive in Iran on friendly visit

ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani Navy (PN) ships, PNS Dehshat and PNS Rahnaward, made a port call to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, said a statement released by the PN. The port visit, scheduled from November 20 to 24, is the second visit by PN ship within a span of a year. Rahnaward, a tall training ship and Dehshat, a fast attack craft-missile docked into port under the command of Commander 10th Patrol Craft Squadron Captain Khalid Pervez. "The visit was aimed to promote peace and' security in the region, enhance maritime collaboration and open new avenues of bilateral cooperation between the two friendly regional navies," said the PN statement. During the visit, the PN delegation held meetings with the naval and military leadership of Iran on matters of mutual interest. A reception dinner was also hosted during the visit by Capt Pervez onboard PNS Rahnaward which was attended by Ambassador of Pakistan Asif Durrani, senior Iranian military and civil officials along with military attaches from China, Poland, Germany and Japan. The visit of the PN flotilla to Iran demonstrates strengthening of cordial relations between Pakistan and Iran based on mutual respect, shared history and culture, added the statement.