Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi has been bestowed with military award of Turkish armed forces, 'the Legion of the Turkish Armed Forces'. According to spokesperson of Pakistan Navy, the award was presented to him by head of Turkish Navy Adnan Uzbaal at a ceremony held at Turkish Naval Headquarters in Ankara.
Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, who is on an official visit to Turkey, has been given the award as an acknowledgement of his efforts for strengthening cooperation between navies of the two countries. During the visit, the naval chief met his Turkish counterpart, Turkish defence minister and commander Turkish general staff.
Earlier, both the commanders held a meeting wherein various matters of mutual interest aimed at further promoting ties between the navies of two brotherly countries were discussed. Later, Chief of the Naval Staff called on Minister of National Defence of Turkey, Nurettin Canikli and Commander Turkish General Staff, General Hulusi AKAR in separate meetings. During the meetings, professional matters and various avenues of defence collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey came under discussion. Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi highlighted the role and contribution of Pakistan Navy in maintaining peace and stability in the regional maritime domain.
The admiral also cited the conduct of Multinational Naval Exercise AMAN-17 under the auspices of Pakistan Navy and highly appreciated the active participation of Turkish Navy. Turkish dignitaries acknowledged the efforts of Pakistan Navy for establishment of maritime peace, stability and lawful order at sea by bringing together global navies towards a shared commitment under the ambit of Exercise AMAN-17. They also lauded commitment and performance of Pakistan Navy through participation in Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan (CMCP) and counter piracy operations for maritime security and stability in the region.