Publish Date: 30 September 2016 - 13:51

TEHRAN, Sep. 30 (MNA) – Pakistani FM spokesperson said the country warmly welcomes the docking of Iranian naval fleet at Port of Karachi for participating in joint drills with Pakistan’s navy.

Nafees Zakaria, Pakistan’s Foreing Ministry Spokesperson, said during his weekly press conference that the Iranian naval fleet has docked at the Port of Karachi within the framework of specialized cooperation and interactions between the two countries’ navies.

He went on to add that the presence of the Iranian fleet at Port of Karachi disproves the claims by some countries which try to isolate Pakistan.

Concurrent with the Sacred Defense Week which marks the 36th anniversary of the eight-year Iraqi war on Iran, Iranian naval fleet comprising ‘Konarak’ logistic carrier, ‘Lavan’ chopper carrier, ‘Khanjar’ and ‘Falakhen’ missile boats, arrived in Karachi on Tuesday. The naval ships, while carrying the message of friendship and goodwill, will participate in a joint drill with Pakistan’s Navy on Friday, which will conclude their four-day port visit.

According to a statement issued by Pakistan Navy, “the visit of the Iranian fleet is expected to promote peace and security in the region and enhance maritime collaboration between the two brotherly Islamic countries.”

The visit came ahead of ‘Aman-17’ exercise, which the Pakistan Navy will host early next year and in which the naval forces of Russia, China, Turkey and Iran are expected to participate. The objective of the exercise is said to be an exchange of naval experiences and improvement of regional security. 

MS/IRN82249655