Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
President Asif Ali Zardari on the eve of the Pakistan Day conferred the Nishan-i-Pakistan award on Minister for Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud in recognition of his meritorious services towards further strengthening bilateral cooperation and his contribution topeace in the region.
The award-conferment ceremony took place at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House) on Saturday. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Defence and Defence Production, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, and the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, were also present on the occasion. After the ceremony, discussing a wide range of issues related to defence cooperation and various other sectors, the president held that Pakistan and the KSA had a firm resolve to work together and further enhance bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.
While welcoming the visiting dignitary, the president said that Pakistan accorded utmost importance to its relations with KSA as both countries enjoyed a fraternal bond, marked by shared faith and historical relations. He underscored the need for further increasing bilateral cooperation in various fields.
The president also thanked the KSA for the support provided to Pakistan during challenging times. He lauded the leadership of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and the vision of the Crown Prince His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud that would propel Saudi Arabia towards remarkable progress. The Saudi Defence Minister while thanking President Zardari and PM Shehbaz Sharif for the conferment of the award and for the invitation as chief guest at the National Day parade, said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed strong historical, strategic and defence cooperation.
