In a major development, the military leaderships of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have vowed to enhance bilateral defence cooperation. It needs to be recalled that both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan entered into an historic strategic mutual defence agreement only a couple of months ago following Pakistan’s clear victory over India in the four-day conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in May.
It has been widely reported that the commitment has been made during a meeting of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, with the Chief of General Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces, General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, in Saudi Arabia.
Gen Mirza was on an official visit to the kingdom. It is therefore heartening to learn that in recognition of his significant contributions in deepening Pakistan-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relationship, in particular the military to military ties, the CJCSC has been conferred with the “King Abdulaziz Medal of Honour of the Excellent Class.“ In my view, the CJCSC deserves this Saudi honour.
The CJCSC is certainly armed by advanced technical, tactical, and leadership abilities to deal with a slew of modern warfare challenges in an effective and meaningful manner. More importantly, his conduct is guided by deep professional ethics.
Saqib Naseer Randhawa (Jhang, Punjab)
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025