By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s defence minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, has awarded Pakistan’s chief of defence forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, recognising his role in bolstering ties between the two nations.
The honour, described as the kingdom’s “highest national honour,” shows the deepening strategic alliance between Riyadh and Islamabad amid shifting regional dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia.
The Saudi Press Agency reported late Sunday that the medal was presented during a reception for Field Marshal Munir in Riyadh, where Prince Khalid lauded his “distinguished efforts to strengthen the strategic relationship and cooperation between the two nations.” “Prince Khalid congratulated Field Marshal Munir on his appointment as Pakistan’s chief of defence forces, wishing him continued success in his new role,” the agency said.
The medal, which has five classes — excellent, first, second, third and fourth — is typically bestowed on individuals who have provided outstanding services to Saudi Arabia or its institutions, according to the Saudi Gazette. In a post on the social media platform X, Prince Khalid elaborated: “Upon the directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques [the title held by the Saudi king], 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.”
The meeting between the two officials covered a broad range of topics, including “the historical Saudi-Pakistani relations and the strategic cooperation in the defence field,” as well as “efforts to establish the foundations of international peace and security, as well as issues of common interest,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement on Monday morning said the discussions on “matters of mutual interest, including regional security dynamics, defence and military cooperation, strategic collaboration, and evolving geopolitical challenges.” “The interaction reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” the ISPR said.
It emphasised that the award acknowledges Field Marshal Munir’s “distinguished military service and leadership, as well as his central role in advancing defence cooperation, strategic coordination, and institutional linkages between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.” “It also reflects his contributions toward regional peace and stability, including sustained collaboration in counter-terrorism and security,” the statement added.
The ceremony comes against a backdrop of intensifying military and strategic bonds between the two countries. Earlier this year, Islamabad and Riyadh signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, which stipulates that any attack on either nation would be considered an act of aggression against both. In November, the chief of the Saudi armed forces expressed the kingdom’s intent to elevate its defence and strategic partnership with Pakistan to new heights. More recently, on Dec. 3, Field Marshal Munir voiced satisfaction with the “robust defence collaboration” between the two allies.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have long maintained close ties, rooted in shared religious and cultural affinities, with Riyadh providing economic aid and Islamabad offering military support when needed.
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