Pakistan Navy F22P Frigate launched

KARACHI - 16th June 2011

The Pakistan Navy fourth F22P Frigate was launched on Thursday. An impressive ceremony to this effect was held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW). The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, was the chief guest at the launching ceremony. The vessel is the fourth F22P Frigate built indigenously at the KSEW with the chinese assistance. The first three such Frigates- PNS Zulfiqar, Shamsher and Saif, were built in China.

Admiral Noman Bashir remarked the launching of the F22P Frigate at the KSEW as a commendable accomplishment and a manifestation of the indigenous policy of the government specially attaining self-reliance in Maritime defence capabilities.

Acknowledging the efforts of Pakistani and Chinese engineers and technicians for the construction of F22P Frigate at the KSEW, he congratulated the China State Shipbuilding Company (CSSC) and the China Shipbuilding and Trading Company (CSTC), Hudong Zhongua and KSEW for launching the ship as per schedule.

Admiral Noman Bashir remarked that the occasion is yet another example of unparallel Pak-China relations which are founded on strong footing.

He said that launching of the warship being an important milestone has not only further strengthened our relations with Chinese friends but has also added colour and eminence to celebrations for 60 years of resounding friendship between Pakistan and China.

The Naval Chief also appreciated the turnaround of the KSEW that enabled it to meet challenges of constructing warships and attributed the success to sound planning of KSEW management and untiring efforts of the workforce. He emphasized on building a strong Navy capable to defend the maritime interests of the country.

Admiral Noman Bashir reiterated that we do not possess any aggressive designs but our sea trade routes, vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and international energy lines that pass very close to our coast need to be protected which is not only in the interest of our country but of the entire international community.

The Managing Director of the KSEW, Commodore Nasir Iqbal Akbar, presented the welcome address.

The President of the CSTC, Wu Di, and the Chinese Consul General in Karachi, also spoke on the occasion. The Managing Director of the KSEW presented a model of the F22P Frigate to Admiral Noman Bashir. The Chief of the Naval Staff cut a ribbon to launch the frigate in to the sea. On the occasion, he also announced a bonus for the staff of the KSEW

5th Annual Conference of Subedar Majors

Rawalpindi (GHQ) -16th June 2011

Today on Thursday the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani (HI) interacted with the Army / Formation Subedar Majors during the 5th Annual Conference of Subedar Majors held at General Headquarters (GHQ).

Subedar-Major is the senior rank of Junior Commissioned Officer in the Pakistani Armies. Although commissioned, they would be considered as senior enlisted personnel and fulfil a role similar to that of the most senior NCOs in other armies. A Battalion's single Subedar-Major assists the commander in much the same way as a Regimental Sergeant-Major would (to the extent that this rank, known as Regimental Havildar Major, is now almost obsolete in the Pakistani Army).
Under British rule a Subedar-Major wore the Crown of a full Major, a tradition which has continued with slight variation after independence. Pakistan use a Wreathed Star with green and red. These stripes separate Subedar-Majors from full commissioned Majors.
PMG