ISLAMABAD, April 10: Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal on Tuesday conferred Hilal-i-Imtiaz (military) award on Deputy Commander Royal Saudi Naval Forces Rear Admiral Dhakeel Allah Ahmed Waqdani in recognition of his services and achievements for strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the Pakistan Navy.

Earlier, the deputy commander of Saudi Navy called on the defence minister and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

Minister Iqbal informed the visiting dignitary that Pakistan attached greater significance towards its relations with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and wanted to further strengthen and intensify the existing bonds between the two brotherly countries.

He said both countries had commonality of perceptions on various regional and international issues and cooperation between the two Muslim countries needed to be further built up particularly in the area of defence.

Mr Iqbal appreciated the contribution made by the deputy commander of Saudi Navy for promoting and expanding cooperation between the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the Pakistan Navy.

The deputy commander of Saudi Navy, on this occasion, emphasized the need for closer cooperation between the navies of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and expressed his gratitude for the award. The meeting was attended by the Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Mohammad Haroon, Rear Admiral Tanveer Faiz, additional secretary ministry of defence and other senior official of Pakistan.