Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa was conferred with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, an order of merit named after Saudi Arabia’s founder, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Sunday.
ISPR said the media was conferred upon COAS Gen Bajwa by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz for his “significant contributions in defence cooperation” between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
#VIDEO: Crown Prince confers Order of King Abdulaziz award to #Pakistan’s Army Chief pic.twitter.com/wATCSQ5QR9
— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) June 26, 2022
The army chief is currently on a visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to the statement by the ISPR.
During his visit, Gen Bajwa called on Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of KSA, and General Fayyadh Bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff (CGS) Saudi Armed Forces at Jeddah.
Both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral defence and security cooperation, and regional peace and stability during the meetings.
The COAS said Pakistan “values its historical and brotherly relations with the kingdom and acknowledges its unique place in the Islamic world.”
The two sides agreed upon enhancing defence cooperation in the fields of joint training, air defence, counter-terrorism and communication, and information domain.
“They also agreed to further enhance cordial relations and deep spirit of brotherhood into an enduring strategic partnership, being vital players in the region with significant responsibility towards the unity of Muslim Ummah,” according to the ISPR.
Meanwhile, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Prince Mohammed conferred Gen Bajwa with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class for his “distinguished efforts in consolidating and strengthening bonds of friendship and cooperation and developing Saudi-Pakistani relations.”
The SPA report said, “the meeting reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the military fields, and opportunities for developing them. The two sides also deliberated upon several issues of common interest.”
“In the implementation of the order of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, HRH the Crown Prince, decorated the Commander of the Pakistani Army with King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class in recognition of his distinguished efforts in consolidating and strengthening bonds of friendship and joint cooperation and developing Saudi-Pakistani relations.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Twitter, congratulated the army chief for receiving the honour.
“Heartiest congratulations to Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on conferment of King Abdulaziz Medal for his contributions to strengthening defence ties between our two brotherly countries. It is a great honour for the people and the armed forces of Pakistan.”
Heartiest congratulations to Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on conferment of King Abdulaziz Medal for his contributions to strengthening defence ties between our two brotherly countries. It is a great honour for the people and the armed forces of Pakistan. 🇵🇰 🇸🇦
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 26, 2022
The PM said Pakistan considers the security of Saudi Arabia “as our own and are completely resolved to further cementing our multifaceted bilateral relationship including excellent defence cooperation.”