RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Saudi leadership has assured the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif that they consider any threat to Pakistan’s integrity unacceptable and will support peace and stability in Pakistan.
The assurance was given when the COAS called on Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Defence Minister Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh on Wednesday.
In a series of tweets, the Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa told that the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral defence and security cooperation.
The two sides re-emphasized on need to join hands to eliminate the menace of terrorism and reinvigorate the mechanism to roll back extremism.
The leaders agreed that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share great history of cordial relations, deep spirit of brotherhood which is transforming into enduring partnership.
Both the dignitaries acknowledged, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are vital players in regional stability with significant responsibility toward Muslim Ummah.
The King, Crown Prince and Defence Minister said that they hold Pakistan and Pakistan Army in high esteem, also appreciated the achievements of Pakistan Army in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
In his remarks, the COAS reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to safety, protection of Harmain Ul Sharifain and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
General Raheel appreciated growing counter terrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing, limiting space of terrorists and extremists in all domains including choking flow of funding.
On Tuesday, the COAS reached Saudi Arabia on a two-day official visit. Later, he met the Chief of General Staff Saudi Forces General Abdul Rehman Bin Saleh Al-Bunyan and discussed military to military relations, defence cooperation regional security situation.
