PM Abbasi, Saudi King Salman discuss bilateral ties

Al JABAL, Saudi Arabia: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Saudi King Salman Abdulaziz al-Saud met here Monday and discussed ways to further boost their bilateral ties.

During the meeting held here, after conclusion of the month long Gulf Shield 1 military exercise, the two leaders also discussed the situation in the regions.

The visit of PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi along with Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa to witness the 24-country military exercise Gulf Shield 1 in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showed Pakistan's commitment and efforts against militancy and for regional peace, defence and strategic policy experts Monday said.

Minister of Defence Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, DG ISI Lt Gen Naveed Akhtar, Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Vice Admiral (Retd) Khan Hasham Bin Saddique and head of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition General Raheel Sharif were present during the meeting.

The joint tri-services exercise held along the East Coast of the Kingdom under the Eastern Command of Royal Saudi Land Forces was designed to boost coordination and provide a hands-on experience of working together to achieve common objectives.

Troops of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft, JF-17 Thunder Fighter jets, Pakistan Navy ships, and commandos from Special Services Group also participated in the exercise.

The closing ceremony was attended among others by Saudi King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Arab leaders including Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Egyptian President Adulfattah el-Sisi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, and King Abdullah II of Jordan, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina Wajid. (Web Desk/APP)