Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, who is on an official visit to the USA, was conferred with US Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) award by United States Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson in a 'Full Honours Ceremony, held at the US Navy Yard. Upon the arrival, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah was received by Admiral John Richardson and a smartly turned out the US Navy contingent presented him the guard of honour, a Pakistan Navy press release Friday said. The US Legion of Merit is one of the highest military awards of the US armed forces that bestowed for exceptionally meritorious conduct.
Later, Admiral Zakaullah called on Admiral Richardson in his office at Pentagon. During the meeting the naval chief dilated upon matters of mutual interest including bilateral naval collaboration and security environment in Indian ocean region. Admiral Zakaullah thanked Admiral Richardson for active participation of the US Navy in Multinational Naval Exercise AMAN-17 conducted by Pakistan Navy in Karachi.
Admiral Richardson highly appreciated the professionalism of Pakistan Navy personnel and active role being played by Pakistan Navy for maritime security and stability in the region and congratulated Pakistan Navy for successful conduct of Multinational Naval Exercise AMAN-17. Earlier, during the meetings with Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Laurel Miller, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Tina Kaidanow and Congressman Brad Sherman, matters of mutual interest were discussed.