Field Marshal Asim Munir, Saudi envoy discuss defence cooperation

Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed ambassador to Pakistan Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy called on Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and discussed regional security and defence cooperation, the military’s media wing said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the meeting took place at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Monday.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over progress under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and stressed the need to strengthen defence collaboration, institutional links and strategic coordination, the military’s media wing said.

Field Marshal Munir congratulated Albugamy on his appointment and expressed confidence that his tenure would further strengthen the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, rooted in shared faith, mutual trust and strategic partnership.

The meeting comes after military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan considered the safety of Saudi Arabia’s Haramain al-Sharifain — the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah — “paramount” and “non-negotiable”.

In an interview with Independent Arabia on Sunday, the Director General of ISPR said Pakistan regarded Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security as vital, with the protection of the two holy cities taking precedence.

“Whatever support is needed to do that is being provided and will be provided,” he said.