-Says Pak-Saudi Military cooperation to positively impact regional peace
RIYADH: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Wednesday emphasized on defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia during his meeting with Excellency General Fayiadh Bin Hamed Al Rowaily, Chief of General Staff (CGS), Saudi Armed Forces at Riyadh.
According to ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations), during the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation including Afghan Peace Process, defence & security and military to military cooperation were discussed.
COAS emphasized the need to further enhance the military to military cooperation between the two Armed Forces and said that Pakistan-KSA cooperation will have a positive impact on peace and security in the region, read the statement.
KSA CGS thanked the Pakistani COAS for his sentiments and assured of full cooperation and support from KSA in all initiatives aimed at improving regional cooperation, peace and stability.
Earlier on Tuesday Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa travelled to Saudi Arabia. In a brief statement, the ISPR said: “COAS has reached KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) on an official visit.”
The visit is taking place ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s trip to the kingdom, which is expected to start on Friday (May 7).
Gen Bajwa last visited Saudi Arabia in August after a hiccup in bilateral relations, which was caused by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s statement on Saudi-dominated Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for its failure to convene a special meeting of the foreign ministers of the member countries for a discussion on the Kashmir dispute.
Saudi Arabia has, however, not fulfilled Pakistan’s demand for the convening of OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting on the issue. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have longstanding military ties, which are governed by a bilateral security cooperation agreement of 1982, under which Pakistan assists the kingdom in training and defence production capabilities.
Pakistani troops have, moreover, been stationed in Saudi Arabia in training and advisory role.–ISPR
