ISLAMABAD/RIYADH - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Sunday agreed to continue fighting terrorism and reinforce the mechanism to roll back extremism with even greater vigour.
According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing, the ISPR, in Islamabad, this understanding was reached between Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud during a meeting in Riyadh on Sunday.
The statement said that the Saudi king and the army chief agreed that both the countries share a great history of cordial relations and deep spirit of brotherhood, which had transformed into an enduring partnership.
“It was also acknowledged that both Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are vital players in regional stability, with significant responsibility towards the entire Muslim Ummah”, the statement added.
Both leaders re-emphasised the need to continue work to eliminate the menace of terrorism and reinforce the mechanism to roll back extremism with even greater vigour.
According to Saudi news agency, SPA, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received at Al-Yamamah Palace Chief of Pakistani Army General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his accompanying delegation.
The King welcomed the Chief of the Pakistani Army in the Kingdom; while he expressed his happiness to visit the Kingdom and meet the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
During the meeting, they reviewed the areas of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The audience was attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior; Minister of State and Cabinet s Member Dr Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; Minister of Culture and Information Dr Adel bin Zaid Altoraifi; Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, and Pakistani Ambassador to the Kingdom Manzoor Al-Haq.
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defence, also met at Al-Yamamah Palace with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.
During the meeting, they discussed means of enhancing bilateral relations in the fields of counter-terrorism and military cooperation.
The Saudi defence minister reassured the army chief that the kingdom supports peace and stability in Pakistan in every way.
The COAS reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the security and protection of the holy mosques and also the territorial integrity of the kingdom.
Later, General Qamar Javed Bajwa met Chief of General Staff of Saudi Forces Gen Abdul Rehman bin Saleh Al Bunyan to discuss military-to-military relations, defence cooperation and regional security situation.
Both leaders agreed to boost military cooperation and collaboration.