In Islamabad, a ceremony was held at the Pakistan High Commission in London to mark the signing of the Transfer Agreement for the former Pakistan Navy Ship TARIQ to Falls of Clyde International (FOCI) in the United Kingdom.
The event was graced by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi as the Chief Guest, and former First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff of the Royal British Navy, Admiral Lord Alan West, who attended as the Guest of Honour.
The ex-PNS TARIQ was officially decommissioned by the Pakistan Navy on August 4, 2023, and has been generously gifted by the Government of Pakistan to Falls of Clyde International (FOCI), a UK-based firm with plans to transform the vessel into a floating museum. The ship will be permanently on display at the Clyde Maritime Heritage Centre in Glasgow, serving as a symbol of the shared naval heritage between the Royal Navy and the Pakistan Navy.
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Admiral Lord Alan West, speaking at the ceremony, emphasized the strong bond between the navies and nations of Pakistan and the UK, exemplified by this historic agreement involving a ship that had faithfully served both countries over many years.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, addressing the gathering, acknowledged the commendable service of PNS TARIQ in defense of Pakistan. He expressed hope that the transfer of TARIQ to FOCI would further enhance the friendship between the UK and Pakistan, with the ship continuing to represent the shared maritime heritage of both navies in the years to come.
This historical vessel, known as HMS AMBUSCADE during its 18 years of service in the Royal Navy, played a role in the Falklands War before being commissioned into the Pakistan Navy as PNS TARIQ in 1993. Over the decades, the ship served with distinction in the Pakistan Navy, earning a reputation as a versatile, agile, and ever-ready combat vessel.
