General Bajwa discusses defense cooperation with Saudi military chief

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa discussed defense cooperation with the Saudi military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, during a meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday.
Bajwa arrived in the kingdom on Tuesday, just days before a visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is scheduled to be in Saudi Arabia on May 7-9.
During the meeting with Al-Ruwaili, he “emphasized the need to further enhance military-to-military cooperation between the two armed forces and said that Pakistan-KSA cooperation will have positive impact on peace and security in the region,” the Pakistani military’s media wing, ISPR, said in a statement.
“Matters of mutual interest, regional security situation including Afghan Peace Process, defense & security and military to military cooperation were discussed,” ISPR said, adding that the Saudi general assured Bajwa of “full cooperation and support from KSA in all initiatives aimed at improving regional cooperation, peace and stability.”
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are long-time allies.
The upcoming visit of the Pakistani PM is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations as multiple cooperation agreements, also in defense, are going to be signed, Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki told Arab News last week.
“This visit will further strengthen relations between both countries in all fields, whether it cultural, political, religious, defense or trade,” Al-Malki said. “During this visit, there will be many memoranda of understanding that will definitely enhance the bilateral relations.”
Khan is going to visit Riyadh on the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
His entourage will include several members of the cabinet: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, and the PM’s adviser on climate change, Malik Amin Aslam.

General Bajwa discusses defense cooperation with Saudi military chief