Summary The PM, Army Chief and Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi met with the Saudi King.
JEDDDAH (Dunya News) – Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Shareef, accompanied by Special Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi, on Thursday met with Saudi King Shah Salman Bin Abdulaziz at the Royal Palace in Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, PM Nawaz expressed that the joint military exercises will promote unity among the Islamic nations.
Prior to the meeting, Saudi Minister for Defence Prince Mohammad Bin Salman himself arrived at the guest house and led PM Nawaz to the Royal Palace for the meeting.
According to the details, the Saudi King expressed his gratitude to the PM for attending the joint military exercise. King Shah Salman Bin Abdulaziz stated that the military exercise had bolstered brotherly relations between the two countries and promoted cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Nawaz further stated that the ‘North Thunder’ military exercise had given the opportunity for Islamic countries to come closer together which will promote unity amongst them.
The PM added that the exercise will further strengthen the resolve to fight against terrorism and extremism.
The officials of both countries exchanged views on the regional situation as well.
On the other hand, the Army Chief also met with the Saudi Defence Minister during the visit to Saudi Arabia.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), General Shareef met with Prince Mohammad Bin Salman at the field office of Saudi Ministry of Defence after witnessing the joint military exercise by troops of 21 countries, including Pakistan. A detailed discussion on the regional situation and Pak-Saudi military relations was held during the meeting.
Prior to this meeting, both PM Nawaz and the Army Chief, accompanied by representatives of other foreign countries, attended the final day of North Thunder joint military exercise.
Troops from 21 countries, including Pakistan, are participating in North Thunder , in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. The main goal of the exercise is to improve training in responding to threats posed by terrorist groups.
The exercise comes as a Saudi-led coalition of Arab countries began targeting rebels and their allies in Yemen in a campaign of airstrikes that began in March 2015.
