Saudi Chief of General Staff calls on Prime Minister Shehbaz, Justice Minister Dar and COAS Asim Munir during his visit to Islamabad
Saudi Chief of General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili meets with Prime Minister Shehbaz, Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit to Islamabad on November 24. PHOTO: APP
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signaled renewed strategic alignment as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Chief of Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili in Islamabad to review defense cooperation, counter-terrorism coordination and regional stability.
At the center of the discussion was the recent historic bilateral strategic defense agreement signed during the prime minister’s visits to Riyadh over the past two months. Sharif described the pact as a “milestone” that both sides were now committed to putting into practice through joint training, military exercises and greater sharing of experience.
The prime minister emphasized that Pakistan considered security cooperation with the Kingdom to be essential for regional peace, adding that the two countries shared a long-standing determination to combat terrorism and extremism. He said the partnership, based on shared faith and mutual trust, remains a fundamental pillar of Pakistan’s foreign and security policy.
General Al-Ruwaili conveyed congratulatory messages from Saudi leaders and affirmed Riyadh’s strong desire to elevate the existing strategic and defense relationship. He reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to taking cooperation to “new heights” in the next phase. Sharif also expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s “constant and unwavering support” for Pakistan, noting that the relationship had been further strengthened by recent high-level engagement.
Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also attended the meeting.
Defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
In September, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a historic Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, declaring that “any aggression against either country will be considered aggression against both,” according to a joint statement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz’s visit to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
He added that the agreement “reflects the shared commitment of both nations to improve their security and achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.” Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing strategic and defense cooperation, but the latest pact is seen as significant in the context of recent developments, including the Israeli attacks on Qatar.
