Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif says the defence collaboration between Pakistan and Türkiye for the construction of MILGEM class warships is aimed at promoting peace and warding off aggression.

He was addressing launching ceremony of the third of the fourth MILGEM class corvette, PNS Khaibar, for Pakistan Navy at Istanbul Naval Shipyard on Friday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also graced the occasion as chief guest.

The PNS Khaibar was launched with a prayer by both leaders for its safe functioning. Both leaders also jointly performed keel laying and steel cutting of the offshore patrol vessels for Turkish Navy.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the exceptional nature of Pakistan-Türkiye relations and the historic tradition of supporting each other during times of trial and tribulation.

Tracing the glorious history of deep rooted bilateral fraternal ties, he called for further strengthening of joint defence production capabilities.

The Prime Minister said that the Pakistan-Türkiye strategic partnership is a source of stability for the entire region.

He greatly appreciated President Erdogan’s personally supervising the assistance effort from Türkiye to Pakistan in the aftermath of the devastating floods in Pakistan.

In his address, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the two countries share a strategic relationship as they mark the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

He highlighted that the Turkish people have not forgotten the assistance from the Muslims of the subcontinent during its national struggle.

The President termed defence cooperation an important pillar of the bilateral relationship and congratulated everyone involved in the successful execution of the MILGEM project.

Speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Şentop, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, and Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank also attended the event.

From Pakistan side, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Maryum Aurangzeb, Minister of Defence Production Muhammad Israr Tareen, Minister of Commerce Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Fahd Hussain, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi attended the ceremony.

Earlier, upon his arrival at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, the Prime Minister was received by Turkish President Erdogan and presented a guard of honour.

It is pertinent to mention that the contract for four MILGEM Class Corvettes for Pakistan Navy was signed in 2018.

Under the contract, two ships were to be constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard and the other two at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

Induction of MILGEM warships in Pakistan Navy fleet will augment its capability and contribute in its efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region.