Pakistan Navy Ship PNS Zulfiquar (FFG-251) with embarked helicopter visited Portsmouth, United Kingdom, as part of Pakistan Navy overseas deployment. Upon arrival at port, the ship was warmly welcomed by officials from Royal Navy, Deputy High Commissioner and Defence & National Advisor of Pakistan at UK. After the port visit, PNS ZULFIQUAR participated in 3rd PN-RN Bilateral Naval Exercise (WHITE STAR-III) with Royal Navy Ship HMS TYNE off Portsmouth. The exercise encompassed advanced Maritime maneuvers including Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) Boarding and Force Protection drills. The exercise was aimed to enhance military cooperation through naval engagement and augment interoperability between the two friendly navies.
During stay at port, the Mission Commander Commodore Syed Rizwan Khalid along with Commanding Officer PNS ZULFIQUAR Captain Rao Ahmed Imran Anwar called on Commander Naval Base Portsmouth Cdre J J Bailey. During the interaction, matters of mutual interest were discussed and contribution of Pakistan Navy to regional peace and maritime security were acknowledged. Mission Commander also conveyed well wishes from Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi for the people of UK in general and Royal Navy in particular. The Mission Commander also extended his gratitude for whole hearted support provided in making the ship stay comfortable. The High Commissioner of Pakistan to United Kingdom H.E Moazzam Ali Khan also visited onboard PNS ZULFIQUAR and interacted with Mission Commander.
PNS Zulfiquar (FFG-251) is the lead ship of the F-22P Zulfiquar-class guided missile frigates since 2009. She was designed and constructed by Chinese firm, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in Shanghai, for the Pakistan NaAfter the bilateral contract was signed between Pakistan and China on 4 April 2006,: she was designed and constructed by the Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co. in China and her steel cutting was held on 10 October 2006 in Shanghai. She was officially laid down on 24 July 2007 and was launched on 7 April 2008 to complete several sea trials in China. She is the lead ship of her class and was acquired by the Pakistan Navy on 30 July 2009. On 12 September 2009, she arrived and reported to her base, Naval Base Karachi and commissioned in the Navy. The vessel’s design is primarily influenced from the Type 053H3 frigate.
