Islamabad
\nThe Saudi armed forces chief on Monday relayed the kingdom\u2019s desire to elevate its defence and strategic partnership with Pakistan to new heights.
\nSaudi Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh Bin Hameed Al Rowaili is currently on a visit to Pakistan and held meetings with senior officials.
\nA statement from state broadcaster PTV News on his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: \u201cGeneral Al-Rowaili conveyed felicitations from the Saudi leadership to the prime minister and the people of Pakistan. He reaffirmed the kingdom\u2019s strong desire to elevate the current excellent defence and strategic partnership with Pakistan to new heights.\u201d
\nPM Shehbaz also reaffirmed his firm commitment to further strengthening the \u201chistoric fraternal relations\u201d between the countries in all sectors, including economic, defence and security.
\n\u201cThe prime minister welcomed General Al-Rowaili and commended Saudi Arabia for the unwavering support and solidarity it has always extended to Pakistan. He emphasised that the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are based on shared faith, common values, and mutual trust.
\n\u201cThe prime minister mentioned his highly successful visits to Riyadh over the past two months, during which historic Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement was signed between the two sides. He reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s unwavering commitment to further deepening bilateral defence cooperation, including joint training, exercises, and exchange of expertise.\u201d
\nPM Shehbaz also highlighted the joint resolve of both countries to combat all forms of terrorism and extremism and to promote peace and stability in the region.
\nEarlier, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia\u2019s military leadership discussed strengthening the \u201clongstanding and strategic\u201d cooperation between the two countries, focusing on defence, security and counterterrorism efforts, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
\nThe discussion took place during a meeting between Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and General Al Rowaili at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, according to the ISPR.
\n\u201cDuring the meeting, both leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, with a particular focus on strengthening the longstanding and strategic military cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,\u201d the statement said.
\n\u201cThey emphasised the importance of further enhancing defence collaboration, security cooperation, and counter-terrorism efforts, which continue to be pillars of the deep-rooted bilateral relationship,\u201d it added.
\nThe visiting dignitary, according to ISPR\u2019s statement, appreciated Pakistan\u2019s cooperation in multiple fields with the Saudi armed forces and \u201creaffirmed his commitment to furthering the strong bonds of cooperation\u201d.
\n\u201cUpon arrival at GHQ, General Fayyadh Bin Hameed Al Rowaili laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and was presented a Guard of Honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army,\u201d said the statement.
\nGeneral Al Rowaili later called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at the Joint Staff Headquarters.
\n\u201cDuring the meeting, both sides discussed evolving global and regional security environment. The dignitaries also explored concrete measures to deepen engagements between the armed forces of both countries and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen defence and security ties.
\n\u201cThe CJCSC reiterated Pakistan\u2019s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and ensuring the protection of Harmain al-Sharifain,\u201d the ISPR said.
\nIn September, Islamabad and Riyadh signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, pledging that any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both.
\nEarlier this month, CGS Lieutenant General Aamer Raza met General Rowaily in Riyadh to discuss broadening strategic ties and strengthening the mutual defence agreement signed by the two nations.
\nThe two countries have long shared a multifaceted relationship rooted in strategic military cooperation, mutual economic interests, and shared Islamic heritage. These ties have encompassed economic assistance and energy supplies, with Riyadh being a significant source of financial aid and oil for Islamabad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad The Saudi armed forces chief on Monday relayed the kingdom\u2019s desire to elevate its defence and strategic partnership with Pakistan to new heights. Saudi Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh Bin Hameed Al Rowaili is currently on a visit to Pakistan and held meetings with senior officials. A statement from state broadcaster […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":516473,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-516453","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n