ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met King Salman during the closing ceremony of the 24-nation joint military exercise, Gulf Shield-1, on Monday.
The prime minister, along with Defense Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan and Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, is on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom to witness the joint tri-services military exercises on the east coast of Saudi Arabia.
The month-long joint military exercise aimed at strengthening military and security cooperation and coordination among regional countries concluded on Monday.
During his meeting with King Salman, Prime Minister Abbasi discussed matters of mutual interest and regional security.
Earlier, Pakistan’s top political and military leadership was received at the King Abdul Aziz Air Force Base by Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif.
Members of the visiting delegation held talks with the governor and other Saudi officials on a wide range of significant issues.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close brotherly relations. The relationship draws its strength from religious and cultural affinities, mutual trust, and a shared vision of peace and security on regional as well as on international levels.
Troops of the Pakistan Army, the Pakistan Air Force, C-130 aircraft, JF-17 Thunder Fighter jets, Pakistan Navy ships, and commandos from Special Services Group also participated in Gulf Shield-1.
The exercise is considered the largest military drill in the region in terms of diversity of troops, weapon systems, and operational maneuvering.
It aimed at raising the level of preparedness, improving mutual coordination and cooperation among the participating countries, along with the exchange of expertise and security integration.
Along with King Salman, Prime Minister Abbasi and other leaders of the participating countries, witnessed the exercise.