Army Chief discusses counter-terror cooperation with Saudi leadership

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday met with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and discussed bilateral defence and security cooperation among other matters of mutual interest.

DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Asim Bajwa said on Twitter that the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), who is on a two-day official visit in Saudi Arabia, also met with the Crown Prince and defence minister of the country.

#COAS with the Crown Prince and Def Min of KSA respectively pic.twitter.com/SfqxcBhiiQ

— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 4, 2015

Leaders agreed that Pakistan and KSA share great history of cordial relations and deep spirit of brotherhood, which was transforming into enduring partnership, said the director general of Pakistan Army’s media wing.

Both dignitaries acknowledged that the two countries were vital players in regional stability with significant responsibility towards Muslim world, he said about Gen Raheel’s meeting with King Salman.

The COAS on the occasion reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to safety and protection of Harmain Ul Sharifain and territorial integrity of the Kingdom.

Lt Gen Bajwa further said that both sides re-emphasized on need to join hands to eliminate the menace of terrorism and reinvigorate the mechanism to roll back extremism.

The Saudi King and Crown Prince reassured the COAS that they consider any threat to Pakistan's integrity unacceptable and will support peace and stability in the country.

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.

#COAS appreciated growing CT coop,int sharing,limiting space of terrorists&extremists in all domains including choking flow of funding-8

— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 4, 2015