Pakistan, Saudi Discuss Defense Cooperation

Islamabad, MINA – Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia discussed ways to enhance defense and security cooperation between the two countries on Thursday (12/9) as Islamabad reaffirmed its support toward the capacity building of Saudi Land Forces.

“The pledge was made by Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa during a meeting with visiting military adviser to the Saudi Defense Ministry Maj. Gen. Talal Abdullah Al-Otaibi at the army headquarters garrison city of Rawalpindi,” the army statement said, Anadolu Agency reported.

The development came days after a visit by Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir who, together with the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister and International Cooperation Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held talks with Pakistan’s top leaders in an effort to stem Islamabad’s anger over the countries’ mild reactions to India’s controversial attitude in Kashmir.

“The meeting discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security, and steps to further enhance bilateral defense collaboration, including training exchange programs,” the statement added.

“The visit of these top military officials also means recognizing the valuable contribution of the Pakistani Army, in particular to regional peace and stability,” he said.

The Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Al Malkiy was also present at the meeting.

Riyadh and Islamabad have long had cooperation in defense and the economy.

Pakistan’s former army commander General Raheel Sharif currently serves as commander of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, a 39-state anti-terrorism alliance.

In February 2018, Pakistan reportedly sent more than 1,000 troops to Saudi Arabia to join the 1,100 troops that had been stationed in the Kingdom in line with the 1982 security protocol between the two countries. (T/Ast/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)