Saudi defence minister arrives

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud arrived here on Friday. He will be the chief guest in today’s (Saturday) Pakistan Day Parade in the federal capital.

Commander of the National Guard of the Kingdom of Bahrain General Shaikh Mohamed bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa will also be present as the guest of honour.

The delegations of investment organisations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi Arabia, would also witness the parade.

Prince Khalid bin Salman will be decorated with the highest civil award of Pakistan at the Aiwan-e-Sadar.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir extended an invitation to the Saudi defence minister for visiting Pakistan during his last week’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi prince will have meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir during his stay in Pakistan. The sources told The News that Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman will also visit Pakistan after Eidul Fitr. He has been invited by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Strict security has been put in place and all the main roads leading to the parade ground have been closed for the general traffic till the conclusion of the parade.