Induction ceremony of Frigate of Pakistan Navy held

Karachi, September 03, 2013 (PPI-OT): Induction ceremony of the 4th F-22 Frigate of Pakistan Navy, PNS ASLAT was held at PN Dockyard this morning. Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif graced the occasion as chief guest.

Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister said that indigenization in the field of defence production has been under close focus of the government. He extended his felicitations to the nation on this historic achievement and commended the efforts of engineers and workers of Pakistan Navy, Karachi Shipyard and China Shipbuilding and Trading Company. He also expressed his gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their continuous support during all phases of the project.

PNS ASLAT is the first F-22P Frigate of Pakistan Navy which has been indigenously built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works in collaboration with the China Shipbuilding and Trading Company.

The ship was commissioned on 17th April this year and inducted today in PN Fleet after proving its combat readiness. Prior to this, three F-22P Frigates namely PNS SHAMSHEER, PNS SAIF and PNS ZULFIQUAR have been built and delivered by China, which now form an important part of PN Fleet. This is the testament of the long-standing ties and deep rooted Sino-Pak friendship.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila, Minister for Defence Production Mr. Rana Tanveer, Commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Khan Hasham Bin Siddique, Managing Director KS and EW Rear Admiral Syed Hassan Nasir Shah and a large number of civil and military dignitaries also attended the ceremony.

For more information, contact:
Lieutenant Commander Shakeel Ahmad
Assistant Director
Directorate of Public Relations
Pakistan Navy
Tel: +9221 2006 3210
Cell: +92333 217 1764 and +92300 217 1038