The Pakistan Navy ship Zulfiquar conducted Passage Exercise with Djibouti Coast Guards to enhance inter-operability upon its departure from the port city on Tuesday.

“Pakistan Navy Ship Zulfiquar visited port Djibouti during deployment on regional maritime security patrol,” a statement from the Directorate General Public Relations (Navy) said.

The Djibouti Navy officials received the ship at port.

The PNS Zulfiquar commanding officer called on senior military leadership and explored avenues for further collaboration. “Navy to Navy engagements between Pakistan and Djibouti have been the cornerstone of diplomatic relations between both brotherly countries,” it said.

During the port call, the PNS Zulfiquar crew also had “professionally rewarding” interactions with the Djibouti Navy and the Coast Guards.

“Pakistan and Djibouti enjoy close and cordial relations based on mutual respect and understanding. Both the countries also have numerous common interests in the maritime arena,” according to the press release.

Djibouti’s ambassadors, defence attaches, senior government and military leadership and prominent members of local and Pakistani community also visited the ship.

Last month, the PNS Zulfiquar while deployed on a regional maritime security patrol rescued an Iranian fishing dhow with 23 fishermen onboard. PNS Zulfiquar responded to the distress call from Fishing Dhow AL Muhammadi, which was stranded in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen.

“The humanitarian assistance operation displays Pakistan Navy’s unflinching resolve towards safety and security of seafarers plying in the Indian Ocean region,” the statement had said.