Pakistan, Saudi Arabia top military commanders discuss regional security

Islamabad: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reiterated their bilateral cooperation as the top military officials of the two countries discussed regional security situation and Afghanistan.

The visiting Commander of Royal Saudi Land Forces Lieutenant General Fahd Bin Abdullah Al-Mutair held a detailed meeting with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday to review the regional situation and discuss future military cooperation.

The two military commanders discussed cooperation in the fields of defense, security and military training.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistan Army greatly valued its close brotherly ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during a meeting in Rawalpindi.

An official statement issued by Pakistan armed forces’ media department ISPR said that the Saudi commander Lt Gen Fahd Bin Abdullah Al-Mutair was quoted as saying that Saudi Arabia “acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts in bringing peace to the region especially the Afghan peace process.”

Top officials

Saudi commander was among top military officials on visit to Islamabad to attend Pakistan Day (March 23) celebration held on Thursday in the capital city and attended by several foreign military delegations including those from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Palestine, Oman, Sri Lanka, UK and Turkey.

The Saudi Commander also met the President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi to congratulate him on Pakistan Day. President Dr. Arif Alvi expressed his gratitude to the visiting dignitaries who attended the ceremony despite the coronavirus threat.

Saudi Commander Lt Gen Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Mutair also held a meeting with Bahrain’s National Guard Commander Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin lsa Al-Khalifa in Islamabad and discussed bilateral and multilateral ties.

On Friday, Pakistan Foreign Office strongly condemned the recent attack on a petroleum distribution terminal in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region. “Such attacks, causing fear and terror as well as disruption of commercial activities, cannot be condoned,” the official statement said. “Pakistan reaffirms its full support and solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any threat to its security and territorial integrity” it added.