Promotion of existing ties between the Pakistan Navy (PN) and South African Navy (SAN) were discussed between the visiting South African Naval Chief Vice Admiral J. F. Retief and Admiral Shahid Karimullah here on Monday. According to a press release of Naval Headquarters, various aspects relating to further promotion of existing ties in the field of training and defence co-operation between the two navies came up for discussion.
Vice Admiral J. F. Retief, Chief of the South African Navy accompanied by his wife Madam Helena arrived here on Monday on an official visit at the invitation of Admiral Shahid Karimullah, Chief of the Naval Staff. Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Shahid Latif received the distinguished guest at the Islamabad International Airport.
Later, the South African Naval Chief visited Naval Headquarters where Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karimullah received him. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy in ceremonial dress presented him the guard of honour. Admiral Shahid Karimullah introduced the visiting dignitary to the Principal Staff Officers at the Naval Headquarters.
Later, Admiral J. F. Retief called on the Chief of the Naval Staff where various aspects relating to further promotion of existing ties in training and defence co-operation between the two navies came up for discussion. The visiting naval chief also attended a briefing on the present regional maritime scenario vis-à-vis Pakistan Navy's role.
During his stay in the federal capital, Admiral J. F. Retief will also call on the President of Pakistan, Defence Minister, the Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee General Ehsan ul Haq and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat. During his stay in Pakistan, he will also call on various naval commanders at Karachi besides visiting naval units. The Admiral is also scheduled to visit Lahore where he will attend a briefing at PN War College and will visit the historical places including the border closing ceremony at Wagah Border.
Born in Capetown in 1946, Vice Admiral J.F. Retief joined the South African Navy in 1967. The admiral has a rich naval career and has served on various ships including the Strike Craft Flotilla of South African Navy. He has the distinction of being the commissioning captain of the First Strike Craft Built in South Africa.
The admiral has also served on a number of staff appointments and attended various specialisation courses including the anti submarine course from UK and has qualified the command and staff course and joint staff course in 1981 and 1988 respectively.
Admiral J.F. Retief is a highly decorated naval officer and in recognition of his services he has been awarded various medals including Southern Cross Decoration, Southern Cross Medal, Military Merit Medal, the Brazilian Order of Naval and the Argentinean Naval Cross for distinguished service.
The press release adds Madam Helena the wife of Admiral Retief visited the Naval Complex E-8 Islamabad, where she was received by Begum Nasreen Shahid, wife of Admiral Shahid Karimullah, the President of Pakistan Navy Women Association (PNWA). The visiting lady was given a detailed briefing on the working of PNWA and different welfare projects being undertaken by the association for welfare of widows and wards of martyrs of Pakistan Navy. She was also shown a documentary on the special children school, a giant project of PNWA which on completion will not only provide an international standard educational facility for special children of PN personnel but will also cater to the special children of civilian personnel at both Islamabad and Karachi. The visiting dignitary appreciated the role of Pakistan Navy Women Association (PNWA) in nation building and the projects undertaken by them for well being of the dependent of the shaheeds (martyrs) of Pakistan Navy.