Pakistan Navy Chief Meets Top Brunei Defense Official
By Lyna Mohammad

Bandar Seri Begawan - Admiral Shahid Karimullah NI (M), the visiting Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Pakistan Navy, yesterday paid a courtesy call on Pg Sanggamara Di-Raja Major General (Rtd) Pg Hj Ibnu Ba'asith Pg Datu Penghulu Pg Hj Apong, the Deputy Minister of Defence.

Admiral Shahid Karimullah NI (M) is on an official visit to the sultanate.

Earlier, he also called on the Pehin Datu Inderasugara Brigadier General Dato Paduka Idj Mohammad Yusof Abu Bakar, Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).

The courtesy calls, both made at the Ministry of Defence, also saw the attendance of Major (Rtd) Badr-Ud-Deen, the Pakistan High Commissioner to the country.

Also present were four other senior military officials comprising of Commodore Abbas Raza SI(M), the Principal Secretary to CNS (PSC); Commodore Syed Hasan Mustafa, Staff Officer; Commodore Amjad Zairian, Pakistan Defence Attache; and, Lt. Commander Khyer Zaman, Flag Lt. to CNS.

ADM Shahid Karimullah, a communication specialist and a graduate of the US Naval War College, joined the Pakistan Navy in the Operations Branch in 1965. He has held a number of prestigious commands and staff appointments, among which he commanded two destroyers, a major training establishment as well as the 25' Destroyers Squadron.

He fought in the 1971 Indo-Pak War while commanding a gunboat in erstwhile East Pakistan where he was seriously wounded in action, and awarded the Sitara-l-Jurrat for exceptional gallantry.

His major staff appointments include Director of Naval Operations, Director Signals, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) at the Naval Headquarters and Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Defence.

The Chief of Naval Staff has also served as Chief of Staff Officer to Commander Pakistan Fleet and Directing Staff at the War Wing of National Defence College in Rawalpindi, and was conferred with NI (M) in recognition of his meritorious services rendered to the Pakistan Navy.

Prior to assuming command of the Pakistan Navy, he was commander of the Pakistan Fleet and was promoted to the rank of Admiral and appointed Chief of Naval Staff on October 7, 2002.

Earlier yesterday morning, ADM Shahid Karimullah made a goodwill visit to RBN Headquarters where he paid a courtesy call on the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), Col (L) Joharie Hj Matussin. During the visit the admiral was briefed on the organisational structure of RBN as well as its roles and mission.

RBN and Pakistan Navy enjoy strong ties and a close working relationship. The regular naval exercises and personnel exchanges over the years have promoted mutual understanding and rapport between personnel of the two navies.

The introductory visit by ADM Shahid Karimullah therefore serves to develop better understanding and friendship and further enhance their bilateral cooperation in gaining mutual benefits pertaining to military naval matters.

During the visit, ADM Shahid Karimullah, who is also accompanied by his wife, Mrs Begum Nasreen Shahid Karimullah, and delegation also had the opportunity to visit the places of interest in the sultanate.

They toured the Brunei Museum, Malay Technology Museum, Brunei Art & Handicraft Centre, Royal Regalia, Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, Yavasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Shopping Complex, The Mall and a tour of the Empire Hotel & Country Club in Jerudong.

The introductory visit by ADM Shahid Karimullah and delegation is hosted by the Commander of RBN.

The delegation arrived here on Sunday and will leave for Thailand tomorrow. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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