Pakistan’s top military commander met Saudi Defense Minister and discussed evolving geopolitical challenges.
Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces 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 matters of mutual interest during the meeting, including the regional security situation, military and defense cooperation, strategic collaboration and evolving geopolitical challenges. “The interaction reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historical and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” the statement read.
Field Marshal Munir was awarded Saudi Arabia’s highest national honour, under a royal decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, during the visit. Munir was also awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) and the Hilal-e-Jurat.
According to the ISPR statement, “The honor recognizes the distinguished military service and leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, his central role in advancing defense cooperation, strategic coordination and institutional ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as his contributions to regional peace and stability, including sustained collaboration on counter-terrorism and security.”
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The Saudi leadership praised Field Marshal Munir’s professional capabilities and strategic vision, and commended his commitment to promoting long-standing and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Munir expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi leaders for the honour. ISPR said this reflects the long-standing ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the security, stability and prosperity of the Kingdom.
“The award of the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class underscores the depth of relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and the shared determination of both nations to further strengthen strategic cooperation in pursuit of regional and global peace,” the statement read.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed long-standing strategic and defense cooperation. On September 18, the two countries signed a historic “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement”, declaring that “any aggression against either country will be considered aggression against both.”
The agreement marked an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries. For decades, Pakistani military trainers have served in the kingdom, while Riyadh has provided generous financial support to Islamabad in times of economic crisis.
