Upon the leadership’s directives, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Defense, met Saturday with President Asif Ali Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad.

During the meeting, the Pakistani President awarded Prince Khalid the highest civilian award in Pakistan (Nishan-e-Pakistan), in recognition of his efforts in enhancing relations between the two countries. The Minister expressed his gratitude for being awarded the medal, emphasizing the deep historical ties and relations between the two countries, and commending their strategic partnership.

Afterwards, the Saudi Minister and the Pakistani President held a meeting. During the meeting, Prince Khalid conveyed greetings from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In return, the President conveyed his greetings and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince. Moreover, both sides reviewed the historical relations between the two sisterly countries and discussed ways to enhance them, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The meeting and the medal award ceremony witnessed the attendance of the Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant-General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwail; Assistant Minister of Defense, Eng. Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi; the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Maliki; and the Director-General of the Office of the Minister of Defense, Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.

From the Pakistani side, the Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif; the Pakistani Federal Minister for Defense Production, Khawaja Muhammad Asif; and Pakistani Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Asim Munir, along with several senior officials, attended the event.

Additionally, the Saudi Minister attended the military parade in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, as the guest of honor for Pakistan Day celebrations. During the event, he observed the military parade and accompanying festivities in the presence of the Pakistani President, Prime Minister, and Defense Minister.

The Saudi Defense Minister also met with the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Both sides discussed the deep-rooted Saudi-Pakistani relations and ways to enhance them within the Riyadh-Islamabad strategic partnership. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and efforts to achieve peace and stability.

The meeting was attended by Chief of the General Staff of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lieutenant-General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, the Assistant Minister of Defense, Eng. Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, and the Director-General of the Minister of Defense’s Office, Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.

From the Pakistani side, the meeting was attended by Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Defense Production, Chief of the Army Staff General Asim Munir, and other high-ranking officials.

Lastly, the Saudi Minister of Defense held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan General Asim Munir (photo), with whom he discussed the longstanding close relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the strategic defense partnership and opportunities for its development to achieve the aspirations of the leadership of the two countries. They also addressed a number of regional and international issues of common interest.