Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to strengthen defence ties, strategic coordination
According to the ISPR, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir congratulated the Saudi ambassador on assuming his new responsibilities.
Field Marshal Asim Munir met Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Rajeh Hami Al-Buqami, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Monday, with both sides agreeing to further strengthen defence cooperation and strategic coordination.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting covered matters of mutual interest and the regional security situation.
The two officials expressed satisfaction with progress under the framework of the Mecca mutual defence agreement and emphasised the importance of further strengthening defence cooperation, institutional ties and strategic coordination, the statement said.
According to the ISPR, Field Marshal Munir congratulated the Saudi ambassador on assuming his new responsibilities and expressed confidence that his tenure would help further consolidate the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The statement said the relationship was founded on a shared religious faith, mutual trust and a strategic partnership.
The meeting comes as Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said the country was providing necessary military support to Saudi Arabia and was prepared to use all available means to defend the kingdom amid Houthi attacks.
In an interview with Independent Arabia, Chaudhry said Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of the Two Holy Mosques were matters that could not be compromised.
“When we say this, we mean that all necessary support to achieve these objectives is already being provided and will continue to be provided,” he said, adding that operational secrecy prevented him from disclosing further details.
Asked about the possibility of direct military assistance to Yemen’s internationally recognised government, the ISPR director general said he did not know whether Islamabad had received a formal request on the matter.
However, he confirmed that Pakistan would review any request it received and make an appropriate decision.
