Press Release

Pakistan Navy (PN) flotilla comprising a Medical support Ship ‘Moawin” and frigate “Aslat” visited Port Victoria from 14 to 17 January 2020. Victoria was 8th and the last port of call of the flotilla before it headed back to Pakistan. It had visited and held Medical camps in Casablanca, Nouakchott, Takoradi (Ghana), Lagos, Cape Town, Dar Es Salaam and Mombasa. The aim of the visit was to further strengthen friendly ties between Pakistan and a select group of African countries through providing medical facility to the needy. Another key objective of this deployment was to sensitize the people about the human right violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Mission Commander Commodore Abdul Muneeb, High Commissioner of Pakistan H. E. Dr. Syed Rizwan Ahmed and commanders of each individual ship called on the following high dignitaries of the Republic of Seychelles: –

1. The Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles H. E. Vincent Meriton
2. Principal Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs Dr. Marina Confait
3. Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Mr. Didier Dogley
4. Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr Ted Barbe
5. Chief of the Seychelles People Defence Forces Mr. Colonel Clifford Roseline
6. Deputy CEO Seychelles Port Authority Dr Edgebert Moustache
7. Mayor of Victoria Mr. M David Andre

During the interactions matters of mutual interests, especially PN training exchange programmes, ship construction and PN’s regional initiatives such as Regional Maritime Security Patrols, came under discussion. Seychellois dignitaries appreciated Pakistan Navy’s role in combating Counter Piracy and contributing towards Maritime Security Operations to maintain peace and stability in Indian Ocean Region.

During the visit, three PN Officers visited Seychelles Coast Guard Headquarters and were afforded tour of their Operations Centre. In return eight Officers of Seychelles Police Department (Victoria) also visited PNS Aslat for a guided tour of the ship followed by professional discussion on topics of mutual interest. On the last day of Port Visit, the Pakistani delegation visited Foyer De Nazareth Orphanage in Victoria, Seychelles and admired the work of the team looking after the children. They befriended the children and distributed school bags and stationery pouches amongst them.

While the goodwill visit of Pakistan Navy Ships (PNS) will certainly further cement friendly bilateral relations between the two countries it also afforded the officers of the two security forces to interact with each other and discuss matters of mutual interest.

Floreal, Mauritius, Tuesday, 17 January, 2020