KARACHI – Pakistan Navy has commissioned an indigenously built 17,000-tonne fleet tanker, PNS Moawin, to its fleet during a ceremony held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard on Tuesday.
The ceremony was attended by President Dr Arif Alvi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi in the Sindh capital, Karachi.
PNS Moawin is the largest warship ever constructed at the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, in collaboration with M/s Savunma Teknologiler Muhendisilik (STM) of Turkey, the Navy said in a statement.
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The ship is capable of performing a variety of maritime operations — including the provision of logistic support to other ships at sea through the transfer of fuel and other important military cargo.
The ship, which can carry two helicopters, is also equipped with state of the art medical facilities and can provide overseas support to friendly countries during any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
During his welcome address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi highlighted that Pakistan Navy was striving to achieve self-reliance in warship construction.
The construction of various naval platforms like F-22-P Frigates, submarines and Combat Support Ships in Pakistan in the past and various warships and submarine construction projects planned in the future will substantially enhance our ship building capability.
The president, while addressing the ceremony, said: “Pakistan is blessed with immense maritime resources which can be optimally exploited through development of our maritime sector or the Blue Economy.”
“The development of this sector will enhance our exports, generate employment and increase foreign exchange,” he added.
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He further hoped that with the realisation of CPEC, the maritime trade and activity off our coast will increase manifold which calls for a strong navy to provide security and seaward defence.
He assured the Navy of all-out help to enhance the naval capability and to help develop the country’s maritime sector.
The chief guest said that Pakistan and Turkey have time-tested and deep-rooted relationship and joint ventures like PNS MOAWIN will further strengthen these relations and open new vistas of cooperation. The President also congratulated Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan Navy, M/s STM of Turkey and Karachi Shipyard for constructing this 17,000 tons ship in Pakistan.
Besides federal ministers, diplomatic community, notable civilian and military officials, the ceremony was also attended by Turkish officials — including Ismael Demir, President Turkish Defence Industries Muhsin Dere, Deputy Minister of Defence and other key Turkish officials.
