KARACHI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Monday met Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at his winter camp in the Saudi city of Al Ula, around 1,000km northwest of the capital Riyadh, Dawn.com reported.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the COAS and the crown prince reviewed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them further.

The two also discussed issues of mutual concern, SPA added.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman, National Security Adviser Dr Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Pakistan’s Amba­ssador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Khurram and other officials.

The army chief who is on a seven-day official visit to the kingdom and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will return to Pakistan on Jan 10 (today), according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

According to reports, the army chief also performed umrah on Monday with social media videos showing him entering the Holy Kaaba where he reportedly offered prayers.

Last week, the COAS met Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid and discussed the ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

The SPA said that the two leaders, during the meeting, emphasised the strength and durability of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Earlier, the ISPR, in a statement said the COAS will be meeting the senior leadership of Saudi Arabia and the UAE countries to “discuss matters of mutual interest, military-to-military cooperation, and bilateral relations.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2023