ISLAMABAD - On the first day of his visit to Saudi Arabia, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif called on Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. General Raheel Sharif was also conferred King Abdul Aziz Medal of Excellence by the Crown Prince.
According to an ISPR press release Wednesday, the COAS held separate meetings with Deputy Interior Minister Abdul Rahman bin Ali Al Rubaian, Chief of General Staff Royal Saudi Armed Forces General Hussain Bin Abdullah Al Qubayyal and Commander Royal Saudi Land Forces Lieutenant General Eid Bin Awadh Al Shalwi. The meetings focused on defence and security cooperation, regional stability and steps towards strengthening bonds between the two countries. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the status of bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and reviewed the prospects for further boosting cooperation and matters of common concern.
On the occasion, the COAS reiterated goodwill of the government and people of Pakistan, and thanked Saudi leadership for supporting Pakistan and its armed forces. He expressed his happiness to visit the Kingdom and meet with the Crown Prince, expressing his thanks and appreciation for the generous hospitality and warm welcome accorded to his delegation.
Later, the COAS also attended a luncheon hosted by General Hussain Bin Abdullah Al Qubayyal Chief of General Staff Royal Saudi Armed Forces.
INP adds: Earlier, Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who is also the Minister of Defence, received Pakistani Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and his accompanying delegation. At the outset of the reception, the Crown Prince said he welcome General Sharif and the accompanying delegation in their second country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, wishing them a pleasant stay.
At a meeting with General Abdul Rahman Al Rubaian, he was briefed on the counter terrorism performance of the ministry. He expressed appreciation of the functioning of the Prince Mohammad bin Nayef Centre for Counselling and Care for rehabilitation of militants. He said that the two countries enjoy close cooperation in the area of counter terrorism.
Earlier General Raheel Sharif was accorded high protocol on his arrival in the Kingdom on Tuesday. He was received by His Royal Highness General Fahd bin Turki, Deputy Commander, Royal Saudi Land Forces at the airport.
Saudi crown prince to visit Pakistan on 15th
Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, who is also Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia, is due to visit Pakistan on a 3-day official visit from February 15 to 17, according to a private TV channel. During his visit, the prince would meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain. He would also visit key defence installations of Pakistan and is likely to sign several bilateral agreements including on defence and security. Extraordinary security arrangements are being made for the security of the top Saudi prince during his visit.
The visit by Prince Salman is the second highest visit of a Saudi diplomat after Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal’s visit to Pakistan last month. On the other hand, the Saudi interior minister’s visit to Pakistan has been postponed due to some latest developments in Syria.