Pakistan-Saudi Relations To Touch New Heights After PM, COAS Visit To The Holy Land: Experts

Experts from diversified fields here Tuesday said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's relations will touch new heights of friendship after the historic visit of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa to the holy land where they witnessed 24 countries military exercises, Gulf Shield 1. Prof. Dr. Ejaz Khan, Department of International Relations, University of Peshawar told APP that the recent visit of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to witness the closing ceremony of the unprecedented 24 countries joint military exercise Gulf Shield 1, was of a paramount importance.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Apr, 2018 ) :Experts from diversified fields here Tuesday said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's relations will touch new heights of friendship after the historic visit of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa to the holy land where they witnessed 24 countries military exercises, Gulf Shield 1.

Prof. Dr. Ejaz Khan, Department of International Relations, University of Peshawar told APP that the recent visit of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to witness the closing ceremony of the unprecedented 24 countries joint military exercise Gulf Shield 1, was of a paramount importance.

It showed Pakistan's deep commitment for promotion of regional peace and stability besides countering menace of terrorism and militancy. The exercise was aimed at strengthening military and security cooperation and coordination among the regional countries besides taking advantages of each others' expertise.

He said Prime Minister of Pakistan has attended the exercises on the special invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud where he was given warm welcome besides holding important meetings with Saudi leadership.

Ejaz said the presence of Pakistan's top civil and military leadership has demonstrated Pakistan's strong resolve and commitment against menace of militancy and terrorism. He maintained that terrorism was a global issue that could only be eradicated through unity and cohesion.

Ejaz Khan said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy very cordial and deep-rooted relations since long, and that there were commonalities of views on almost all key regional and international issues among both the brotherly countries.

He said Pakistan had been extending full cooperation to the brotherly country in strengthening of its defence against any external aggression. Ejaz said Pakistan's participation in the alliance had again testified its deep commitment to the integrity and defense of Saudi Arabia besides sharing its expertise and experiences with military coalition in countering menace of terrorism and militancy.

Pakistan had provided full support to Saudi Arabia and other brotherly Muslims countries in providing professional education training facilities to their cadets that was also appreciated by all.

Former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand said both the countries enjoyed very cordial relations since long and people of Pakistan had highest regards for Saudi Arabia. He said thousands of Pakistanis were working in Saudi Arabia and earning valuable foreign exchange for the country.

He said it was a good opportunity for militaries of the Muslim countries to exchange their expertise with one another and take effective measures to counter challenges of internal and external threats.

However, he said, durable peace in middle East cannot be established until the core issue of Palestine was addressed. Sardar Aurangzaib Nalota, PML-N Parliamentary Leader in KP Assembly told APP that Pakistan and KSA relations were deep-rooted, historic and time-tested spreading over 50 years and witnessing of joint military exercises by Prime Minister Abbasi and the COAS was a part of the continuity of long defense cooperation between the two brotherly Islamic countries.

He said both the countries enjoyed extremely cordial relations with strong religious, cultural and historic bonds and had complete harmony and view points on most of regional and international issues by holding regular consultative sessions and were keen to further augment security cooperation besides furthering the cause of maintaining international peace, stability and economic prosperity.

Nalota said Pakistan had trained Saudi armed forces personnel at various training and educational institutions in the past and the passed out foreign cadets were playing key role in defense and security of its people. He said Pakistani armed forces had vast experience in mountain warfare and counter terrorism operations and their outstanding role had been globally recognized.