Basically to strengthen relations between the Fiji and Pakistani military saysNaupoto

Republic of the Fiji Military Forces is looking at exploring defence training in Pakistan.

This is what transpired after a meeting between Pakistan High Commission defence advisor, Brigadier Muhammad Asghar and Republic of the Military Forces commander, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto on Tuesday.

Brigadier Asghar paid a courtesy visit to Rear Admiral Naupoto at the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces strategic headquarters in Suva.

He is currently based in Canberra, Australia.

Brigadier Asghar was also given an operational situation brief of the nation and was then escorted around the other military installations around the country.

Rear Admiral Naupoto said it was first in RFMF’s history that Pakistani military personnel had visited Fiji.

He said they had the opportunity to discuss training opportunities in Pakistan.

“They have a very professional military and very good training institution in Pakistan; we are planning to explore those opportunities,” Rear Admiral Naupoto said.

He said they would be in contact with Brigadier Asghar via electronic email to keep a tab on details of their discussion.

“We will follow up plans on what we discussed as far as training is concerned,” Rear Admiral Naupoto said.

He said they looked at training opportunities basically to strengthen relations between the Fiji and Pakistani military.

Rear Admiral Naupoto said it had been long time they explored such opportunities.

He said a few military officers were trained at the defence college in Pakistan and this was an area that they were looking at.

“They have a good defence college; Staff College is the lower level above it is Defence College so we are trying to see if one of our senior officers can attend their Defence College, it is very well respected,” Rear Admiral Naupoto said.

He said Brigadier Asghar would assist them with other areas of military training that Fiji could look into.

“We can make arrangements for some exchange visits from their senior military personnel so that our relationship can be mutually beneficial to each other,” Rear Admiral Naupoto said.

Brigadier Asghar flew out of the country yesterday.

Edited by Paula Tuvuki

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