The Italian Navy's Carrier Strike Group (CSG), consisting of the aircraft carrier Cavour and the frigate Alpino, stopped over in Karachi, Pakistan, from 14 to 16 October 2024, as part of a tour of the Indo-Pacific region. This was a historic visit, as the Cavour was the first aircraft carrier to be docked in the port of Karachi. The CSG's stop in Karachi symbolised not only Italy's growing naval engagement in the Indo-Pacific region but also the strengthening of bilateral relations with Pakistan. Over the years, Italy and Pakistan have worked closely together to promote international cooperation and safeguard maritime security interests in the region for lasting peace and cooperation.

On 14 October, the Italian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Marilina Armellin, received the Commander of the CSG, Counter Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina, and the crews of the ITS Cavour and the ITS Alpino together with Admiral Stefano Barbieri, representing the Italian Navy Chief of Staff. The welcome ceremony organised by the Pakistani Navy in the port of Karachi was also attended by the Italian Consul in Karachi, Danilo Giurdanella, the Italian Defence Attaché, Colonel Enrico Rosa, and officers from the Pakistani naval authorities.

Later in the afternoon, on board the ITS Alpino, the "Defence Industry Forum" was held - an event organised by the Secretariat General of Defence and the National Armaments Directorate, in collaboration with the Federation of Italian Aerospace, Defence and Security Companies (Federazione delle Aziende Italiane per l'Aerospazio, la Difesa e la Sicurezza, AIAD), to help deepen the dialogue between the Italian and Pakistani defence industries, in order to strengthen the ongoing cooperation between the two countries.

Ambassador Armellin and Admiral-designate Stefano Barbieri held high-level meetings with the Pakistani Navy and met with the Commander of the Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK), the Commander of Karachi (COMKAR) and other officials to reiterate Italy's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Italy and Pakistan, even beyond military cooperation, in the diplomatic, economic and technological sectors. Together with the CSG Commander, Counter Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina, Armellin then held a well-attended press conference on board the Cavour with Pakistani journalists and media representatives from the Pakistani Navy.

In the evening, a reception was held on board the aircraft carrier with the Prime Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, as the chief guest. Numerous other government dignitaries, foreign diplomats, officers of the Pakistan Armed Forces, distinguished members of the Pakistani business community and prominent representatives of civil society also attended. On 15 October, Ambassador Armellin, Consul Giurdanella, Counter Admiral Barbieri, and a delegation from the Italian defence industry also visited the Karachi Naval and Engineering Shipyard, meeting with the CEO, Counter Admiral Salman Ilyas. On the occasion, issues of mutual interest and prospects for future cooperation with the shipyard were discussed. Also present were representatives of the Italian defence industry LEONARDO, Elettronica, MBDA and Fincantieri, all actively engaged with the Pakistani Armed Forces and civilian counterparts.

Before leaving for Islamabad, Ambassador Armellin met the Prime Minister of Sindh Province, Syed Murad Ali Shah, on 16 October to discuss inter-university cooperation in Karachi and the promotion of Italian language and culture. The Prime Minister also discussed potential collaboration with Italian companies in the field of infrastructure and development projects in Sindh.