Islamabad (Agencies): The Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye, H.E. Cevdet Yilmaz, has arrived in Pakistan for an official visit from August 1 to August 2, 2023. During his visit, Vice President Yilmaz will participate in several significant events, including a joint launch with Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif of the fourth MILGEM Class Corvette – PNS Tariq – at the Karachi Shipyard on August 2, 2023.
The MILGEM project, initiated in 2018, aims to construct four Corvettes for the Pakistan Navy, with two being built in Pakistan and the other two in Turkiye. This collaborative endeavor between the two nations in the maritime domain symbolizes a strong and enduring partnership. It showcases the commitment to self-reliance, indigenization, and fulfilling the critical security needs of the Pakistan Navy.
The ceremony to launch the PNS Tariq follows the successful unveiling of the third Naval Corvette, PNS Khyber, in Istanbul in November 2022. The first two Corvettes, PNS Babur and PNS Badar, were launched in Istanbul and Karachi in August 2021 and May 2022, respectively.
Pakistan and Turkiye share deep-rooted fraternal ties, marked by regular exchanges at the leadership level, commonality of views on regional and global issues, and strengthened cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. The visit of Vice President Yilmaz further strengthens the bonds between the two nations and underscores the significance of their collaboration in promoting security and maritime excellence.