ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security, and avenues for enhanced bilateral defence cooperation, a military statement said on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, held a meeting with Lieutenant General Fahad Bin Saud Al-Johani, Commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said.
“Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding and brotherly relations between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” ISPR said.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir lauded the ongoing defence partnership with Saudi Arabia, emphasising the importance of continued cooperation in military training, capacity building, and intelligence sharing.
In response, Commander Al-Johani praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Army and acknowledged Pakistan’s proactive role in fostering regional peace and stability.
The Saudi commander was received with a formal Guard of Honour upon his arrival at GHQ, marking the ceremonial start of the visit.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long enjoyed close ties but have sought to broaden cooperation in recent years, including a defence pact signed in Riyadh during the prime minister’s visit on September 18 and 34 memorandums of understanding worth $2.8 billion across multiple sectors last year.
The two nations share longstanding ties rooted in faith, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation, with Riyadh remaining a key political and economic partner of Islamabad.
The Kingdom also hosts over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates, the largest source of remittances for Pakistan’s $407 billion economy.
Defence cooperation between the two countries has included training, arms purchases, and joint military exercises.
