RIYADH: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif have arrived in Hafar Al Batin city of Saudi Arabia on a three-day official visit to hold important talks with Saudi leadership.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi is also accompanying the two dignitaries.
They were received at King Saud airport by Royal family member Prince Muhammad bin Salman and other high officials.
The Prime Minister and the Army Chief are visiting the Kingdom on the invitation of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to witness the military exercise ‘North Thunder’.
Nawaz Sharif will visit King Khalid military city to attend a dinner hosted by the custodian of Harmain al Sharifain.
The premier is visiting the Kingdom on the invitation of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to witness the military exercise ‘North Thunder.‘
A large number of other Heads of State and Government have also been invited to witness the ongoing military exercise and its closing ceremony.
“Pakistan enjoys cordial and brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia, which are characterized by strong bonds of affinity, mutual respect and solidarity, and draw strength from shared historical, cultural and Islamic values. Both countries enjoy multi faceted cooperation, including in the fields of defense and counter-terrorism,” the Foreign Office stated.
“As is well known, the people of Pakistan hold the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in high esteem. The Government of Pakistan has affirmed that we will always stand shoulder to shoulder with our Saudi brethren against any threat to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia.”
The FO further said that Pakistan has consistently supported all regional and international efforts to combat militancy, extremism and terrorism and, to this end, has extended its full support and cooperation to the international community.
Troops from 21 countries, including Pakistan, are participating in ‘Thunder North‘ exercise, in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. The main goal of the exercise is to improve training in responding to threats posed by terrorist groups.
The exercise comes as a Saudi-led coalition of Arab countries began targeting rebels and their allies in Yemen in a campaign of airstrikes that began in March 2015.
Pakistan has voiced support for the mission but is not taking part in the strikes.
Pakistan has deep military connections with Saudi Arabia and it has long benefited from the oil-rich kingdom‘s largesse. Nawaz Sharif himself has close personal ties with the Saudi royal family who sheltered him during years in exile.
A large number of other Heads of State and Government have also been invited to witness the ongoing military exercise and its closing ceremony.
Troops from 21 countries, including Pakistan are participating in the exercise, in the northern region of Saudi Arabia.
The main goal of the exercise is to improve training in responding to the threat posed by terrorist groups.
The “Thunder of the North” exercise involving ground, air, and naval forces sends a “clear message” that Riyadh and its allies “stand united in confronting all challenges and preserving peace and stability in the region, said SPA.
Saudi Arabia is currently leading a military campaign against Iran-backed rebels in its southern neighbour Yemen. Last December, it also formed a new 35-member coalition to fight “terrorism” in Islamic countries. NNI