RAWALPINDI: Pakistan will render training, assistance and technical advice to Saudi Arabian armed forces under a new agreement signed between the two countries here today [Aug 7]. The agreement was signed by the Saudi Arabian Defence Minister, Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, and the Defence Minister of Pakistan, Vice-Admiral A.R. Khan, after their talks held today at the office of Pakistan’s Defence Minister. The agreement highlights the two-day talks between the delegations of the two Governments which concluded at lunch time today.

Earlier in the morning, the Saudi Arabian Defence Minister had a one-hour meeting with President Ayub at the President’s House.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Vice-Admiral A.R. Khan, was also present at the meeting.

Before the meeting, the members of the Saudi Arabian defence delegation were also introduced to the President.

In the afternoon, the Saudi delegation visited the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology.

The Saudi Arabian Defence Minister called on the Foreign Minister, Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, in the evening and conveyed him greetings of King Faisal for the stand taken by Pakistan during the Arab-Israel conflict.

Later, Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada held a dinner in honour of the visiting Defence Minister at the State Guest House at Rawalpindi.

The official announcement on the agreement said: “Saudi Arabian armed forces are to receive training, assistance and technical advice from Pakistan under a new agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2017