Islamabad, 26 Sep 2023: The Transfer Agreement Signing Ceremony for the ex-
Pakistan Navy Ship TARIQ to Falls of Clyde International (FOCI) of United Kingdom
was organized at Pakistan High Commission in London. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral
Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the ceremony as Chief Guest. Former First Sea
Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Royal British Navy, Admiral Lord Alan West attended
the ceremony as Guest of Honour. Ex PNS TARIQ was formerly decommissioned by
Pakistan Navy on 4 Aug 23 and has been gifted by the Government of Pakistan to a UK
based firm Falls of Clyde International (FOCI) that plans to convert the ship into a
floating museum. The ship will be on static display at Clyde Maritime Heritage Centre in
Glasgow as a symbol of common naval heritage of the Royal and Pakistan navies.
Speaking on the occasion, Admiral Lord Alan West said that the close
relationship between the navies and nations of Pakistan and UK are clearly shown by
the historic agreement focused on one ship that served both each countries over many
years.
While addressing at the ceremony, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad
Amjad Khan Niazi acknowledged the meritorious services of PNS TARIQ for the
defence of Pakistan. The Chief Guest hoped that handing over of TARIQ to FOCI will
further strengthen the bonds of friendship between UK and Pakistan as the ship will
continue to symbolize the shared maritime heritage of both the navies in times to come.
The historical ship served in the Royal Navy as HMS AMBUSCADE for 18 years
and participated in the Falklands War before being inducted and re-commissioned in
Pakistan Navy as PNS TARIQ in 1993. The ship served for over 3 decades in PN &
distinguished herself on many operational deployments, earning the reputation of a
versatile, agile and ever-ready combat ship. The ship was famously involved in Search
and Rescue mission in Maldives during the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2005 which
helped save precious lives of 377 tourists belonging to various nationalities.
The ceremony hosted by High commissioner of Pakistan to UK, H.E. Dr
Mohammad Faisal was attended by Director FOCI, Mr David O’Neill, veterans from
Royal Navy and representatives of Pakistani community in UK.
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