Pakistani frigate arrives at Chattogram

The Pakistan Navy’s guided missile frigate PNS Saif (FFG-253) arrived at Chattogram Port on Saturday morning, marking its first visit to Bangladesh in over a decade and signaling a deliberate effort by both nations to revive long-strained bilateral relations.

The vessel, welcomed with full naval honours, was received at the port by Chief Staff Officer of the Commander Chattogram Naval Area, in the presence of senior officers from the Bangladesh Navy and officials from the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka. 

A ceremonial band of the Bangladesh Navy played traditional naval tunes as the ship docked, echoing the spirit of maritime camaraderie.

Prior to arrival, PNS Saif was met at sea by the Bangladesh Navy’s corvette BNS Shadhinota, which escorted it through the country’s maritime boundary – a gesture steeped in protocol and symbolic of renewed trust.

During its four-day goodwill visit, the crew of PNS Saif will engage in a series of high-level interactions, including courtesy calls on the Commander Chattogram Naval Area, the Commander Bangladesh Navy Fleet, and the Area Superintendent Dockyard. Officers and sailors from both navies will also exchange visits aboard each other’s vessels, fostering professional dialogue and mutual understanding.

The Pakistani delegation is scheduled to tour key historic and cultural landmarks in Chattogram, including the Independence Monument, the Bangladesh Maritime Museum, and the historic Mughal-era Shah Amanat Bridge. They will also observe naval training facilities and operational assets of the Bangladesh Navy.

In return, officers and sailors of the Bangladesh Navy will be hosted aboard PNS Saif, where they will experience its advanced surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The ship is scheduled to depart Chattogram on 12 November 2025.

This visit comes amid a broader diplomatic thaw between Bangladesh and Pakistan, following years of diplomatic distance rooted in historical tensions. Recent high-level engagements, including the visit of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister to Dhaka in September and increased trade talks, suggest a deliberate recalibration in regional relations.

Analysts view PNS Saif’s arrival as more than a routine goodwill mission — it is a quiet but powerful statement of intent.