Saudi Arabia Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has conferred the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class on Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for his efforts to “advance Pak-Saudi ties.”
“Upon the directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, I presented Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class for his distinguished efforts to enhance our cooperation and advance the Saudi-Pakistani relations,” wrote the Saudi minister in a post on X.
Separately, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the medal was the Gulf kingdom’s “highest national honor.” It said Field Marshal Munir and Prince Khalid bin Salman had held discussions on matters of mutual interest, including regional security dynamics, defense and military cooperation, strategic collaboration, and evolving geopolitical challenges.
“The interaction reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” read the statement. It said the honor conferred upon the Army chief recognized his “distinguished military service and leadership, as well as his central role in advancing defense cooperation, strategic coordination, and institutional linkages between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.”
The award also reflects his “contributions toward regional peace and stability, including sustained collaboration in counter-terrorism and security,” it added.
The award follows Islamabad and Riyadh inking a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement earlier this year. Under the accord, both states have pledged that any attack on one would be treated as an act of aggression against both.