Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz awarded the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class to Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, highlighting his contributions to reinforcing the relationship between both nations.
The development was reported on Monday, with the Saudi Press Agency indicating that the medal was conferred in appreciation of Field Marshal Munir’s “exceptional efforts to enhance the strategic partnership and collaboration between the two countries.” The award ceremony occurred in Riyadh during a meeting between the Saudi defence minister and the Pakistani military leader.
As reported by the Saudi Gazette, the King Abdulaziz Medal consists of five distinct classes: Excellent, First, Second, Third, and Fourth. This accolade is granted to individuals who have made significant contributions to Saudi Arabia or its institutions.
During their meeting, Prince Khalid extended fecilitations to Field Marshal Munir on his recent appointment as Pakistan’s chief of defence forces and conveyed hopes for his success in this position. The Saudi publication noted that discussions encompassed Saudi-Pakistani relations, defence cooperation, and various issues related to international peace, security, and shared interests.
In a post on X, Prince Khalid stated, “Following the direction 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 outstanding contributions to enhancing our partnership and advancing Saudi-Pakistani relations.”
Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) mentioned that the meeting also covered topics such as regional security, military and defence cooperation, strategic collaboration, and geopolitical developments. The military’s media wing highlighted that the engagement represents the enduring relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
ISPR characterized the King Abdulaziz Medal as the highest national honor in Saudi Arabia. The announcement emphasized the recognition of Field Marshal Munir’s military service and leadership, as well as his efforts in promoting defence cooperation, strategic alignment, and institutional collaboration between the two nations.
The statement also alluded to cooperation in counterterrorism and security-related endeavors, linking these efforts to broader regional stability. It noted that the award reflected the contributions made in these areas through the ongoing partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh.
Earlier in the year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia finalized a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, which stipulates that an attack on either nation would be regarded as aggression against both. In November, the chief of the Saudi armed forces expressed the kingdom’s intention to enhance defence and strategic cooperation with Pakistan.