Pakistan’s top military commander met the Saudi defense minister and discussed evolving geopolitical challenges
Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has received Saudi Arabia’s highest national honour, the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellence.
In a statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during an official visit to the Kingdom.
Photo: ISPR
The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest during the meeting, including the regional security situation, defense and military cooperation, strategic cooperation and changing geopolitical challenges. “The interaction reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” the statement read.
Field Marshal Munir was awarded Saudi Arabia’s highest national honor under a royal decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during the visit. Munir is also a recipient of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-e-Jurat.
According to the ISPR statement, “The honor recognizes Field Marshal Asim Munir’s distinguished military service and leadership, his pivotal role in promoting defense cooperation, strategic coordination and institutional relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as his contribution to regional peace and stability, including sustained cooperation in counter-terrorism and security.”
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The Saudi leadership lauded Field Marshal Munir’s professional skills and strategic vision and commended his commitment to promoting the longstanding and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Munir expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi leadership for the honor. The ISPR said this reflects the enduring ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the Kingdom’s security, stability and prosperity.
“The award of the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class underscores the depth of the relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and the shared determination of both nations to further strengthen strategic cooperation in the pursuit of regional and global peace,” the statement read.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have had a long-standing strategic and defense cooperation. On September 18, the two countries signed a landmark “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement” declaring that “any aggression against either country shall be regarded as aggression against both.”
The agreement marked a significant milestone in the two countries’ relations. For decades, Pakistani military trainers have served in the kingdom, while Riyadh has provided generous financial support to Islamabad in times of economic crisis.
