Army chief meets Saudi Crown Prince, discusses ‘wide-ranging’ issues

RIYADH: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Mina, as the latter had invited him Tuesday night for an audience, according to ISPR.

The Inter-Services Public Relations, in its release, said the two leaders had dinner at Mina. The prince congratulated Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Bajwa for performing hajj. They discussed wide-ranging issues of mutual interest, including regional security.

“Prince Mohammad Bin Salman expressed his strong optimism about [the] success of Pakistan in defeating [the] challenges at hand,” said the release tweeted by DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor . He also expressed best wishes for the newly elected government in Pakistan. The COAS thanked the prince for his wishes and support.

The army chief performed Hajj with his family. He prayed for peace and stability in the country on the occasion.

A day ago, the army chief paid tribute to victims of terrorism on ‘International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism’.

“We strongly condemn terrorism in all its manifestations and extend full support to all the forces of order and peace to bring enduring peace”, COAS Bajwa said.

In his statement released by the ISPR, he had said, “Terrorism is a global menace and requires collective response. Pakistan has remained subjected to this threat for quite some time especially during the last two decades.”

“Pakistani nation and its armed forces have bravely and successfully stood upto this challenge and are on a positive trajectory to defeat it effectively. We express solidarity with courageous families of the victims of terrorism including security forces who fought valiantly against it,” he added.

“Our collective resolve shall defeat all inimical forces which tried to push us towards darkness but are failing in the face of our national resilience and determination,” the army chief said.

“We strongly condemn terrorism in all its manifestations and extend full support to all the forces of order and peace to bring enduring peace”, he concluded.