Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Saudi Chief of General Staff meets with Air Chief

Air Chief
  • A smartly turned out contingent of PAF presented guard of honour.
  • Air Chief said Pakistan values its strong defence relation with KSA.
  • The Saudi delegation also visited different installations of PAF.

ISLAMABAD: A high level delegation, led by General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff Saudi Armed Forces, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

The meeting underscored, discussion on several key areas of mutual interest, defence co-operation and geo-strategic situation.

On his arrival, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili the guard of honour. Later, the visiting dignitary was introduced to the Principal Staff Officers.

During the meeting, Chief of the Air Staff shared his pragmatic policy decisions aimed at modernizing PAF through smart acquisition of niche technologies with special focus on artificial intelligence, cyber, space, electronic warfare in addition to upgradation of infrastructure and revitalization of operational & training domains.

The Air Chief highlighted that Saudi Arabia being the center of the Muslim world and a significant strategic partner has longstanding religious, cultural and historical bond with Pakistan which is exemplified through robust bilateral relations.

He also reiterated his unwavering commitment to enhancing the existing ties in realms of military-to-military cooperation, joint exercises and collaborative training. Highlighting the bond of brotherhood between the two nations, the Air Chief said, “Pakistan values its strong diplomatic, economic and defence relationship with Saudi Arabia which is based on convergence on all important issues relating to regional peace, security and stability.”

The Chief of General Staff Saudi Armed Forces expressed his admiration for the exceptional progress made by Pakistan Air Force, particularly in the area of indigenization and lauded the professionalism of PAF personnel.

He also pledged to play his role in further improving the existing bilateral ties at all levels and expressed his desire to consolidate cooperation in various fields including training, emerging technologies and mutual cooperation in the aviation industry.

The Saudi delegation also visited different installations and technological infrastructure.

Chief of the Air Staff briefed the visiting dignitary about his vision of PAF’s National Aerospace Science & Technology Park  project.

The visiting dignitary expressed keen interest in the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park which will serve as a beacon of innovation to promote futuristic aerospace and aviation capabilities.

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‘Pak-KSA cooperation will have positive impact on peace & security in the region,’ COAS

‘Pak-KSA cooperation will have positive impact on peace & security in the region,’ COAS

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) called on His Excellency Lieutenant General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff (CGS), Saudi Armed Forces in Riyadh, today.

According to the statement released by the media wing of Pakistan Military Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation including Afghan Peace Process, defense and security, and military to military cooperation were discussed during the meeting.

ISPR in its statement added that COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa emphasized the need to further enhance military to military cooperation between the two Armed Forces and said that Pakistan-KSA cooperation will have a positive impact on peace and security in the region.

During the meeting, CGS KSA thanked the COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa for his sentiments and assured of full cooperation and support from KSA in all initiatives aimed at improving regional cooperation, peace, and stability.

COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday ahead of the trip by Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia later this week.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa was received by Pakistan’s recently-appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Lt-Gen (retd) Bilal Akbar and Saudi military officials. He will meet Saudi civil and military leadership in what seems to be part of the preparation of the prime minister’s scheduled to take place on May 7.

The visit of the Army Chief and upcoming trip by the premier is seen as significant as these developments suggest a thaw in ties between the two countries.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Relations

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have enjoyed a longstanding strategic relationship, which in recent years met with certain roadblocks.

The first real test of their ties came in 2015 when Pakistan refused to send troops to join the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.

The relationship returned to some normalcy after Pakistan joined the Saudi-led Islamic military alliance against terrorism and sent former army chief General (retd) Raheel Sharif to attend the group.

When Prime Minister Imran took charge in August 2018, Saudi Arabia extended a $6 billion financial package to Pakistan to shore up its depleting foreign reserves.

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