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

Pakistan tells CIA chief no US boots on the ground

Islamabad - 11th June 2011

Today on Saturday Mr Leon Panetta, Director Central Intelligence Agency, United States called on Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq parvez Kayani . Both sides discussed the framework for future intelligence sharing
CIA Director Leon Panetta told Pakistan’s army and intelligence chiefs that he was concerned about a reduction of US troops allowed in the country, but was bluntly told no American boots would be allowed on the ground, Pakistani military officials.
Panetta, nominated to take over as defence secretary next month, arrived in Pakistan on Friday in an unannounced visit, his first trip since a secret US raid that killed Osama bin Laden and severely damaged ties between the allies.
Pakistan’s army said on Thursday it had drastically cut down on the number of US troops allowed in the country and set clear limits on intelligence sharing with the United States. “He (Panetta) expressed concerns over the reduction of trainers and operatives. We told him very clearly ‘no boots on our soil is acceptable’,” said the Pakistani military official.
Panetta held talks with army chief General Ashfaq Kayani and Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, head of military intelligence. The Pakistani military released a statement saying: “Both sides discussed the framework for future intelligence sharing.”
A US embassy spokesman said he had no information on the talks. The United States kept Islamabad in the dark about the May 2 raid by Navy SEALs until after it was over, humiliating Pakistan’s armed forces and putting US military and intelligence ties under serious strain. “We told him that we are clear. We don’t want their people. Intelligence sharing is fine and we are ready for that,” said another military official. Washington was angered by the fact that bin Laden had apparently been living for years in a Pakistani town about a two-hour drive from the intelligence headquarters.
Pakistan has been under mounting pressure to prove it is a more reliable partner in the America’s campaigns against militants launched after the September 11 attacks on the United States. The United States believes the nearly decade-old war effort in neighboring Afghanistan cannot succeed unless Pakistan tackles insurgent safe havens near the border.
On Friday, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, also a US ally, arrived in Islamabad and asked Pakistan to help end the Taliban insurgency.
Pakistan, which supported the Taliban government that ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until its ouster in 2001 by US-backed forces, will be crucial to any attempts to stabilize its western neighbor.
PMG

Four Americans stopped by the Police

Peshawar - 5th June 2011

On Sunday 12:07 am four Americans are being stopped by Pakistani Police. The officials are check the passports of the Americans. These Americans belong from U.S embassy Peshawar. They have any diplomatic passport official said. They were travelling in a Silver Toyota SUV which number was IDF-7582 but there is a second Red number plate inside the car which determine that this vehicle belong to an embassy. The SUV was free to proceed by the Police, the SUV wasn't checked from inside and the Americans and Police talked on hand waving.
Today morning a terrorist named Ilyas Kashmiri who was involved in the GHQ and Marhan attack was killed in a drone attack, may be these people provided U.S which the information.
PMG

Military Awards Ceremony

Rawalpindi (GHQ) - 3rd June 2011

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani conferred military awards to the Army personnel in an investiture ceremony held at General Headquarters today. A large number of senior military officials and relatives of awardees attended the ceremony.
26 officers were awarded HILAL-E-IMTIAZ (MILITARY), 102 officers were awarded SITARA-E-IMTIAZ (MILITARY), 1 officer was awarded TAMGHA-E-IMTIAZ (CIVIL), 1 officer and 13 soldiers were awarded United Nations (UN) Medal. Medals of Shuhada were received by their family members.
PMG