Pakistan Navy Commissions New Type 054 A/P Frigate ‘PNS TUGHRIL’
On January 24, the Pakistan Navy commissioned the first Type 054 A/P class frigate, PNS TUGHRIL, at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi.
By: Naval News Staff 24 Jan 2022
The commissioning ceremony hosted by Pakistan Navy in Karachi was the second for Type 054A/P frigate PNG TUGHRIL (F-261). The first ceremony took place on 8 November at China’s Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard as part of the frigate’s delivery. The second ceremony drew a large crowd, including Pakistan’s President Dr. Arif Alvi, who participated as Chief Guest.
According to a statement posted on the Pakistan Navy’s social media accounts, President Alvi stressed the need of having a well-equipped fleet to protect sea borders in severe environmental conditions.
PNS TUGHRIL is the first of four frigates of Type 054 A/P being built for the Pakistan Navy. She was launched in August 2020, and the Chinese shipyard completed the process in just 14 months. The new frigate is named after “Tugrul the First,” one of the founders of the Seljuk Empire, which governed modern-day Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey between the 11th and 14th centuries. The Type 054A/P will be Pakistan Navy’s most capable warship to date.
Pakistan signed an initial contract for the delivery of two Type 054 A/P frigates in 2017. An additional contract for two more ships was announced in June 2018. According to the contract, all four ships are built in China and the first two are expected to be delivered to the customer by year-end.
During the occasion, the Pakistan Navy also welcomed ten second-hand Sea King helicopters acquired from Qatar.
The Pakistan Navy is currently undertaking an important renewal of its fleet, with the procurement of several modern platforms: In addition to these frigates from China, Pakistan will also commission new corvettes from Turkey and OPV from the Netherlands. It is also modernizing its submarine force. In 2016, Pakistan agreed to pay China $5 billion for the acquisition of eight Chinese Yuan-class type-041 diesel submarines by 2028 in order to shift the force balance with its archrival India.
About Type 054A and Type 054A/P frigate
The Type 054A is a multi-role frigate and is recognized as the backbone of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) fleet of surface combatants with 30 vessels in commission. They have a length of 134 meters, a beam of 16 meters for a displacement of 4,000 tons. They have a crew complement of 165 sailors and are fitted with:
a H/PJ-26 76mm main gun
2×4 CM302 anti-ship missiles
32x VLS cells for HQ-16 surface to air missiles
2x Type 730 30mm CIWS
2x Triple Torpedo launchers
In PLAN service, those frigates feature a Type 382 radar which shares a close resemblance with the Russian MR-710 Fregat radar. Unlike the Pakistan Navy variant whose first ship-in-class is fitted with an SR2410C radar the Type 054A in Chinese Navy service does not feature a long-range/metric wave radar.(Courtesy : Navel News)
Newly-formulated National Security Policy to help resolve issues of civil-military balance, says NSA
By Yasir Ilyas | January 15, 2022
ISLAMABAD: The National Security Adviser (NSA) has said that issues related to civil-military balance and working relationship and capacity of institutions to implement the policy are complicated issues and expressed the hope that we will be able to deal with these issues through the newly-formulated National Security Policy (NSP).During an interview with Geo TV on Friday14 January , the NSA said that we have a bitter history of civil-military ties but we have witnessed a consensus in formulation of the NSP as all the state organs have contributed to the formulation of the policy. He also expressed his firm belief that institutions related to implementation of policy have had capacity issues in the past but we need to work it out. Anchor of the show Shahzad Iqbal asked the NSA about the difference of newly-formulated policy from the existing unwritten policy being exercised, “Unwritten security policy was wish-driven, everyone in the past was pursuing the policy as one desired to do so,” Moeed replied. He further added that in the absence of an umbrella document, covering all the aspects of national security, confusion and overlapping of the policy was being seen. “Now we have determined a direction for all the organs and institutions formulating the National Security Policy,” the NSA emphasized.When asked how this new NSP would be implemented, he said that the mechanism is quite clear. There is a National Security Division, which apart from formulating the policy, has a mandate and scope to implement it. “Probably this is the only policy to be implemented this way,” the NSA added. He further said that there is then another prestigious forum named the National Security Committee, headed by the prime minister, with services chiefs being the members along with the senior ministers of cabinet. This committee will review the progress of implementation of the policy on monthly basis. An important part of the policy is Pakistan’s approach towards India, particularly in prevailing situation. It was reported that this policy might bring a paradigm shift in policy towards India, but the NSA termed such reporting baseless and said that any major policy shift in this regard was dependent upon the atmosphere in India. “We will have to wait for India coming back to its senses,” the NSA said.He further added that Pakistan has always wanted normalcy in ties with India, but this can’t be achieved by Pakistan’s wish only.(Courtesy: The News International)
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Pakistan welcomes P5 statement on preventing nuclear war The Indian government released a similar statement(13 Jan 2022)
“As a responsible nuclear weapons state, Pakistan supports the objectives of global and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation,” a statement by the Pakistani foreign ministry said on Thursday, in response to the P5 statement released on January 3. The statement quoting foreign ministry spokesman Asim Iftikhar said the P5 statement is “in line with the stipulations of the First Special Session on Disarmament of the UN General Assembly with equal and undiminished security being the defining consideration”.The P5 consists of the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China and France.India and Pakistan have tested nuclear weapons, making them part of the eight countries worldwide that have publicly announced they possess nuclear weapons of mass destruction.The other countries are the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, Israel and North Korea.According to the leading nuclear weapons tracking organisation, the Federation of American Scientists, Israel is estimated to have 90 nuclear weapons. However, Israel maintains a policy of ambiguity and has never officially confirmed nor denied their existence. India and Pakistan have refused to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (commonly referred to as the NPT) or to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). North Korea withdrew from the NPT in 2003.
The South Asia context Addressing the P5, Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesman reiterated a Pakistani proposal for a regional “strategic restrain regime”. “In the context of South Asia, Pakistan’s proposal for a Strategic Restraint Regime, encompassing nuclear and missile restraint, conventional balance and settlement of disputes, can contribute significantly towards maintaining strategic stability and avoiding military conflict,” Asim Iftikhar said. “This will also entail eschewing misplaced notions of space for war in a nuclearised environment,” he said, a reference to India’s development of anti-satellite weapons that can be fired at objects in orbit around Earth.“Pakistan fully agrees with the need for effective measures by all nuclear powers to guard against any unauthorised or unintended use of nuclear weapons.” On January 7, the Indian government released a similar statement, welcoming the P5’s position on preventing nuclear war.“We welcome the joint statement this week, which reaffirms the importance of addressing nuclear threats, and underscores the desire to work towards creating a security environment more conducive to progress on disarmament with the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons with undiminished security for all,” said Arindam Bagchi, the Indian external affairs ministry spokesman.Relations between India and Pakistan have been virtually frozen since a 2019 military standoff in the disputed northern region of Kashmir saw them come to the brink of another war.India’s military carried out air raids inside Pakistani territory following a suicide attack by Kashmiri rebels that killed 40 Indian security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir.Pakistan responded by carrying out air attacks of its own on targets in Indian-administered Kashmir, and the standoff only ended two days later, when Pakistan returned an Indian fighter pilot who was shot down during the skirmishes.(SOURCE: AL JAZEERA)
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Ten soldiers martyred in Kech terrorist attack
(January 25, 2022) KARACHI: Ten soldiers were martyred when terrorists attacked a check-post of security forces in Kech district of Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement issued. According to the military’s media affairs wing, the terrorists fired at the check-post late on Tuesday 25 January night.“ During the intense exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed and several injured. While repulsing terrorists ‘fire raid’, 10 soldiers embraced Shahadat. Three terrorists have been apprehended in a follow-up clearance operation, which is still in progress to hunt down perpetrators of the incident,” it said. “Armed Forces are determined to eliminate terrorists from our soil no matter what the cost,” the ISPR added.This is the second such incident in Kech in the span of a month. Two soldiers were martyred when terrorists attacked a check-post in the district on Dec 24, 2021.
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Blood of martys will not go waste: COAS Gen Bajwa
(29 January, 2022) Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday visited Turbat and spent complete day with troops. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS was given a comprehensive brief at HQ FC Balochistan (South) on prevailing security situation, fencing along Pak Iran border and measures taken to counter hostile efforts to destabilise security situation in Balochistan. Gen Bajwa was also briefed on socioeconomic initiatives undertaken by the Army in support of Balochistan government and efforts underway for capacity enhancement of the Law-Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).The Army Chief went on to say that army will make all out efforts to assist provincial government towards achievement of enduring peace and prosperity. Later, COAS Gen Bajwa visited Kech and interacted with deployed troops. While paying tribute to the courage and resolve of Shuhada of Sibdan Top, he said, “terrorists shall be brought to justice and blood of the martyrs will not go waste.” Balochistan is the future of Pakistan and progress and prosperity of the province means progress of the country, the COAS reiterated. “The disruptive efforts by inimical forces won t be allowed to succeed,” Gen Bajwa emphasized, adding that security, stability and prosperity of Balochistan shall be pursued/ensured at all cost.
Earlier, on arrival, COAS was received by the Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali. (Source: Duyia News)
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Iraqi defence minister confirms purchase of 12 fighter jets from Pakistan
By: News Desk | 31 January 2022
Iraq’s Defence Minister Juma Inad confirms the purchase of combat aircraft from Pakistan. He made the revelations in a recent interview with Al Arabiya, an international Arabic television news channel based in Dubai. During the interview, the talk turned to the Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter deal. To clarify, last year reports emerged that Pakistan received an international defense order from Iraq for the sale of 12 fighter jets JF-17 Thunder Block III, manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra. In 2021, several rounds of negotiations took place between Pakistan and Iraq. They concluded during the visit of an Iraqi defence delegation led by Deputy Commander Iraqi Air Force Major General (Pilot) Muhammad Majeed Mahdi Mahmood. Regarding this, Minister Juma stated that Iraq signed a contract with a Pakistani company to purchase the combat aircrafts. The Minister also said the aircrafts from Pakistan will be used for “anti-drone” operations. Minister Juma also highlighted the increase in drone threats from militias in Iraq. Therefore, to counter the threat, Iraq will buy “anti-drone aircraft” from Pakistan. He also said, “We are getting some aircraft now & further orders will be made in the future”. Important to note, Iraq has recently seen a rise in rocket and drone attacks. A few days ago, three rockets landed in the Baghdad International Airport compound, damaging one disused civilian airplane. Similarly, earlier this month, Iraq said foiled a drone attack on a base hosting US troops. As a result of the frequent attacks, Iraq is looking into vamping up its defense systems with Pakistan’s JF-17s. However, while the Iraqi defense minister made the claims during the interview, an official confirmation from both the Iraqi and the Pakistani government is awaited.
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A visit to deserted Murree on a Sunday evening with pictures
A deserted Murree.
By : Bismah Mirza
Living all my life in Karachi, I have always yearned for seeing snowfall or at-least witnessing fresh snow and having moved to Islamabad my husband promised me to take me to Murree in this winters. Came the first snow of winters in Murree and I was gearing up for the visit.
However, due to omicron and realizing Murree would be jam-packed ( which my husband hates the most) and it would be slippery after the first snowfall, we thought to delay the visit till some sanity returns to Murree. What happened next in Murree is sadly known to all and our delaying came as a blessing in disguise.
A lot has been said on the horrific Murree incident and I would not dwell in to that other than praying for some sensitivity and sensibility to emerge in the minds of the authorities and the people of the Murree. I have two questions to ask:
Firstly, From authorities, Why do you work only at the expense of precious lives be it Murree incident or urban flooding at E-11 in Islamabad
Second, I want to ask esp the people of Murree what do you prefer a safe, secure Murree with tourists or a deserted Murree which me and my husband witnessed on Sunday, January 16, 2022, evening?
Do you prefer greed over business?
Owls over humans?
Boycott over Tourism?
Lawlessness over sensibility? Insensitivity on empathy?
If your answer is YES to the above questions then behold tomorrow’s Murree will be a place which will not be known for being a beautiful hill station but a place hostage to greedy people. It streets will be deserted, with makeshift carts toppled on the side of the road, small kiosks closed (as it was on Sunday) instead of bustling with activities and tourists happily shopping late at night. The charm of Murree despite being over crowded is, people coming across the country to walk on its Mall road, shop, take cart rides, eat ice cream cones or have coffee, eat at it’s eateries and go back clicking numerous memories. What is saddening to see is due to the ignorance and attitude of few people, daily wagers are suffering.
Did not COVID made us suffer enough that we have to lose such precious lives?
What do you prefer A deserted Murree or A Safe, Secure Murree?