MBS, COAS agree to bolster defence ties

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had an important meeting with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the Prime Minister’s House here on Monday.

During the meeting, they discussed the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the defence field. The crown prince, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Kingdom, had important discussions with the COAS.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), "Regional security focusing on Middle East was discussed during the meeting." Pakistan’s initiatives on the ongoing peace talks between the United States and Taliban were also discussed, it added.

Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Asim Munir, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor and DG Military Intelligence (MI) Major General Sarfraz Ali were present during the meeting.

It would be pertinent to mention that General Qamar Bajwa has been playing a significant role in strengthening the country’s ties with a number of important foreign countries and top of those is Saudi Arabia.

He has visited the Kingdom several times ever-since he assumed the slot. He had meetings with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visits. General Qamar Javed Bajwa has been very popular with the leadership of the visiting countries, including Saudi Arabia. He was warmly greeted by the crown prince during his two-day stay in Pakistan.