China and Pakistan launch joint Shaheen (Eagle) – 4 Air Drill

Shaheen (Eagle)-4, a joint drill between the air forces of China and Pakistan has began in China. The Chinese contingent includes fighter jets, fighter bombers and early warning planes while its Pakistani counterpart dispatched fighter jets and early warning planes. The joint exercise is part of a series of military exchange programs between the two air forces. China’s Air Force was willing to expand the scope of cooperation with various countries.

The first such drill was held in Pakistan in March 2011, the second in China’s western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in September 2013, and the third was held in Punjab, Pakistan, in May 2014.

Facts About Pakistan
  • Pakistan manufactures more than 50% of World’s hand-sewed footballs.
  • Gwadar Port – Largest Deep-sea Port in the world is in Pakistan
  • Karakoram Highway has been constructed at a height of 15,397 ft between China and Pakistan. It is one of the popular tourist attraction in the region.
  • Khewara Salt Mines are the world’s second largest and Pakistan’s oldest salt mines.
  • Thar desert is located on the border of Pakistan and India. It is the world’s ninth largest sub-tropical desert.
  • The name Pakistan means ‘land of the pure’ in Persian and Urdu.
  • Pakistan became the first Islamic country to become Nuclear Power on 28th May 1998.
Test Your Knowledge

Recently Pakistan became an Associate Member of CERN. Name the other country?

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Answer – Turkey.

What is the full form of CERN?

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Answer – CERN is derived from the acronym for the French “Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire”, or European Council for Nuclear Research.