Fourth F-22P frigate of Pakistan Navy launched*
The fourth and last frigate of F-22P series for the Pakistan Navy was launched here on Thursday, which has been built at the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) with Chinese assistance.
The frigate, designated PNS Aslat, was launched at a ceremony held at the KSEW with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir as chief guest.
The F-22P frigate would be handed over to Pakistan Navy in December 2012, after complete construction of the ship and equipping it with required armoury and sensors, making it ready for full operational use for the Navy.
The construction of the frigate commenced in 2009.
Already, three F-22P frigates, built in China, are in operational use of Pakistan Navy namely PNS Zulfiqar, PNS Shamsheer, and PNS Saif.
Also on the occasion, the Karachi Shipyard announced construction of a Fast Attack (missile) craft for the Pakistan Navy.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the naval chief said that launching of F-22P ship at KSEW was commendable and a clear manifestation of the indigenisation policy of the government, especially attaining self-reliance in maritime defence capabilities.
Acknowledging efforts of the Pakistani and Chinese engineers and technicians for construction of F-22P Frigate at the Karachi Shipyard, Admiral Bashir congratulated the China State Shipbuilding Company (CSSC), China Shipbuilding and Trading Company (CSTC), Hudong Zhongua and Karachi Shipyards for launching the ship as per schedule and remarked that the occasion was yet another example of unparalleled Pak-China rock-solid relations.
The chief guest emphasized the fact that launching of the warship being an important milestone in attaining maritime defence capabilities, had not only further strengthened Pakistan
Dear Readers: Please note this is a 2004 report. Currently, Pakistan’s Ballistics Technology has advanced at a lightning pace, and is comparable to the most advanced nations, including the US. Hats-off to Drs. A.Q.Khan and Samar Mubarakmand, true shining sons of Pakistan.
Pakistan
The Indian media is crowing about growing tesion between the US and Pakistan, there fondest wish would be for both of them go to War. Unfortunately, what one wishes on ones enemies tends to recochet back on oneself.
Speakers at a rally on Friday demanded that intelligence sharing with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces in Afghanistan be stopped to avenge the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in a recent attack in Mohmand Agency.
They said banning the movement of supplies through Pakistan was an insufficient response.
The protest titled Defence of Pakistan was organised by Jamaatud Dawa, a banned organisation. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Jamaat-i-Islami were also represented at the protest. Tariq Naeemullah and Maroof Khan from the PML-N and Iftikhar Chaudhry, the district amir; Rao Zafar and Zafar Iqbal from JI attended the protest.
JD leaders warned that they would launch a civil disobedience movement against the government if
