RIYADH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen military cooperation, with Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal of Honour for his contributions to bilateral defence ties.
The affirmation came during a meeting between Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Chief of General Staff of Saudi Armed Forces General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili in Saudi Arabia, a military statement said on Sunday.
Both sides discussed evolving global and regional environment and avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
It added that the two sides reaffirmed their resolve to further deepen the strong brotherly ties and enduring defence partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed the resolve to further deepen their strong brotherly ties and enduring defence partnership@PakinSaudiArab @ForeignOfficePk #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/3zS6szDPvJ pic.twitter.com/NA6wDUSsjD
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) November 9, 2025
The Saudi military leadership lauded the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
“In recognition of his significant contributions in deepening Pakistan-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relationship, in particular the military-to-military ties, the CJCSC was conferred with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Honour of the Excellent Class,” ISPR said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, in September, signed a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both, a move that will enhance joint deterrence and strengthen decades of military and security cooperation.
The pact aims to strengthen defence cooperation, enhance joint deterrence, and formalise the long-standing strategic partnership between the two nations.
The agreement was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, where he met Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have for decades maintained close political, military, and economic ties.
The Kingdom hosts more than 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates — the largest overseas community sending remittances back to Pakistan — and has repeatedly provided Islamabad with financial support during its economic crises.
Defence cooperation between the two countries has included training, arms purchases, and joint military exercises.
The recently signed agreement formalises that cooperation into a mutual defence commitment, a move that analysts widely say puts the relationship on par with other major strategic partnerships in the region.
