Gen Asim Munir discusses Pak-Saudi military cooperation with Mohammed bin Salman

• COAS Asim Munir calls on Saudi crown prince in Jeddah.
• Matter related to regional peace, security came under discussion.
• Army chief thanked Saudi leadership for the warm sentiments.

JEDDAH: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir Wednesday held a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz during which military cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan came under discussion.

A press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the army chief met the Saudi prime minister during an official visit to the Gulf kingdom.

“Wide-ranging issues of mutual interest, including regional peace and security, bilateral defence and security cooperation came under discussion,” the ISPR said.

During the meeting, the military’s media wing said, Mohammad Bin Salman highlighted that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have historic brotherly and strong relations, and both countries have always stood up for each other.

The crown prince also expressed a desire to further strengthen the bilateral ties and that the kingdom will always standby with Pakistan in future as well, the ISPR said.

In response, the COAS thanked the Saudi leadership for the warm sentiments and support for Pakistan.

According to state-run Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, National Security Advisor Dr Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Al-Malki attended the meeting.

Representing Pakistan were Ambassador Ahmed Farooq, Secretary to the Commander of the Pakistani Army Major General Mohammed Jawad Tariq, and the Military Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan in the Kingdom Brig Muhammad Asim.