Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Raheel Sharif called on Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Defence Minister Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud on Wednesday and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to safety and protection of Harmain Ul Sharifain and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). They discussed matters of mutual interest, bilateral defence and security co-operation. Both sides re-emphasised the need to join hands to eliminate the menace of terrorism and reinvigorate the mechanism to roll back extremism.

The leaders agreed that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share great history of cordial relations, deep spirit of brotherhood which is transforming into an enduring partnership, Director General, ISPR, Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted. Both the dignitaries acknowledged that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are vital players in regional stability with significant responsibility towards Muslim Ummah.

The Saudi King and Crown Prince reassured the CoAS that they consider any threat to Pakistan's integrity unacceptable and will support peace and stability in Pakistan. The King, Crown Prince and Defence Minister said that they hold Pakistan and Pakistan Army in high esteem. He also appreciated the achievements of Pak Army in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb. The CoAS appreciated growing counter terrorism co-operation, intelligence sharing, limiting space of terrorists and extremists in all domains including choking flow of funding.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2015