- COAS reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to the safety and protection of the Holy Mosques
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif called on Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Wednesday and both leaders re-emphasised on the need to join hands to eliminate the menace of terrorism and reinvigorate the mechanism to roll back extremism, an ISPR statement said.
Details of the meeting, revealed through a series of tweets by Lt Gen Asim Bajwa, said that General Raheel held meetings with the Saudi king, crown prince and the kingdom’s defence minister to discuss matters related to mutual interests and bilateral security cooperation.
The Saudi dignitaries reassured the army chief that the kingdom considers any threat to Pakistan as unacceptable and would support peace and stability in the country.
It was acknowledged during the meeting that both Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are vital players in regional stability, “with significant responsibility towards Muslim Ummah”.
The army chief reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the safety and protection of the Holy Mosques and also the territorial integrity of the kingdom.
The Saudi king and the army chief agreed both the countries “share great history of cordial relations and deep spirit of brotherhood which transforms into enduring partnership”.
The Saudi leadership said they hold Pakistan and its armed forces in high esteem and also appreciated the achievements of Pakistan Army in Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Gen Raheel Sharif appreciated growing counter-terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing and limiting space of terrorists and extremists in all domains including choking flow of funding.
General Raheel Sharif is in Saudi Arabia on a two-day official visit. He was received by the deputy defence minister and commander of Saudi Land Forces on Tuesday.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior also received at Al-Yamamah Palace today the COAS General Raheel Sharif.
During the meeting, they reviewed the prospects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries, ways of enhancing them, and issues of common interest.
