Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Sunday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further enhance military-to-military cooperation with Jordan and jointly realize mutual vision of a stable and peaceful region, according to the army’s media affairs wing.
The army chief also underlined the “strong defense partnership” between Pakistan and the Hashemite Kingdom, the royal family of Jordan, during a visit by Jordan’s King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein to the Tilla firing range near Jhelum, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The Jordanian king, who arrived in Pakistan for a two-day official visit on Saturday, also visited Global Industrial and Defense Solutions, the state-run conglomerate involved in the export and marketing of military, industrial and technological products and services. He was accompanied by Princess Salma bint Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and a delegation of Jordanian civil and military officials and was received by Field Marshal Munir and other officials, according to the ISPR.
The ISPR statement said that during his visit to GIDS, the Jordanian king received a comprehensive briefing on the conglomerate’s structure, capabilities and product portfolio.
“The briefing showcased Pakistan’s progress in local defense production, technological innovation and possible avenues for bilateral defense cooperation between Pakistan and Jordan,” the statement added.
Later, he said, King Abdullah visited the Tilla shooting range, where he was joined by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “Vugar Valeh oglu Mustafayev, Minister of Defense Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was also among the distinguished guests at the shooting ranges.”
At the firing ranges, the “distinguished guests witnessed a joint fire and maneuver exercise”, the ISPR statement said, adding that the “exercise demonstrated multi-domain operations, including conventional and aerial firepower, coordinated maneuvers and spectrum warfare capabilities supported by multi-purpose drones employed in various configurations and roles.”
“King Abdullah II appreciated the high standards of training, professionalism and operational capabilities and readiness demonstrated by the participating troops and aircrew,” he further stated.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed “Pakistan’s deep respect and affection for His Majesty King Abdullah II and the people of Jordan, noting that the visit reflects long-standing friendship, mutual trust and a shared desire for peace and development.”
Earlier, according to the ISPR statement, King Abdullah conferred on the COAS the Order of Military Merit of the First Degree, “in recognition of his outstanding service and important contributions to strengthening military cooperation between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Pakistan.”
The statement highlighted that the Jordanian king’s visit to Pakistan “marks a significant milestone in reinforcing the historic ties of brotherhood and brotherhood between Pakistan and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
Highest civilian award for the king of Jordan
Separately, the Government of Pakistan also conferred the Nishan-i-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award, on King Abdullah II of Jordan during a special investiture ceremony held at the Presidency in Islamabad today.
The award was presented to the king, who is on a two-day visit to the country, by President Asif Ali Zardari. In response, King Abdullah conferred on President Zardari the Order of the Jeweled Grand Cordon of Al-Nahda, one of the kingdom’s highest honors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz and other federal ministers were present at the ceremony while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari were also in attendance.
“His Majesty King Abdullah II… is a visionary leader and statesman of exceptional political skill who has championed the cause of moderation, justice and dialogue among nations,” the award citation read.
“Under His Majesty’s astute leadership, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has emerged as a beacon of stability, tolerance and prosperity in the region,” he added. “His unwavering advocacy for a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian issue and his efforts to reach the peace agreement in Gaza have earned him deep international recognition and acclaim.
“His Majesty has been a firm friend of Pakistan. By virtue of his personal commitment, bilateral relations between Pakistan and Jordan have been significantly strengthened in various fields spanning political and economic cooperation, defense collaboration, educational partnerships, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.”
He continued: “These developments serve to reinforce the enduring foundation of the historic friendship and brotherhood between the two nations, while fostering new avenues of cooperation.
“The people and government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan deeply value His Majesty King Abdullah II’s commitment… to strengthening bilateral relations and continued solidarity with Pakistan.
“In recognition of his outstanding statesmanship and lasting contributions in further consolidating relations between Pakistan and Jordan, along with the promotion of regional and international peace, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to award… the Nishan-i-Pakistan Award as a symbol of deep respect, admiration and friendship on the part of the people and Government of Pakistan.”
The prime minister and the Jordanian king also held a bilateral meeting on Saturday at the Prime Minister House after the latter arrived in Pakistan.
During the meeting, both leaders affirmed “zero tolerance” for any displacement of Palestinians from the besieged Gaza Strip following Israel’s devastating military attack on the territory.
King Abdullah II also praised Pakistan’s continued support for Jordan’s role in regional stability and humanitarian efforts during the Gaza conflict, as well as the territory after the ceasefire.
Both dignitaries also witnessed a ceremony on the exchange of memorandums of understanding in the fields of media, culture and education.
