Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has proposed to include Turkey in the multibillion-dollar CPEC.
While addressing a ceremony of the launch of the third ship under the framework of Turkey’s National Ship Project (MILGEM), PNS Badr, The PM said that turning CPEC into a trilateral project will be beneficial for the region. His statement came after the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed expanding BRICS, a bloc made of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
PM Shehbaz said that cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan in public welfare, defense, and foreign policy was reaching new heights. This step was also proving to be beneficial for the people of the two nations.
Back in 2018, the Pakistan Navy signed a contract for acquiring four MILGEM-class ships with Turkey’s state-run defense firm ASFAT. Under the plan, two corvettes are to be two built-in Turkey and the other two in Pakistan. The PM said that the launch of PNS Badr would increase maritime activities at Port Qasim and Karachi Port while leading to the Cdevelopment of industrial and financial progress.
PM Sharif said that the launch of the ship was a moment of pride for the entire nation and the naval forces of the two countries. He also thanked Turkey for always being a great supporter of Pakistan.
A message by Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan was screened at the event where he assured that the country will provide Pakistan with all the support. The MILGEM vessels are 325 feet long and hold a displacement capacity of 24,000 tons. It can move at the speed of 29 nautical miles. The anti-submarine combat frigates can be hidden from the radar as well.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi, and other Pakistani and Turkish naval officers attended the event.
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