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ISLAMABAD: Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held high-level meetings with Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s top military leadership during his official visit to the Kingdom, reaffirming the commitment of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation further, the military said on Thursday.&nbsp;According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, the air chief called on Lieutenant General Turki bin Bander bin Abdulaziz, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and General Fayiadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily, Chief of the General Staff of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, the air chief was accorded a guard of honor by a contingent of the Royal Saudi Air Force.&nbsp;During the meetings, both sides discussed matters related to bilateral defense collaboration, the evolving regional security environment and future avenues of cooperation.&nbsp;The two sides expressed satisfaction over the existing level of engagement and agreed to further enhance cooperation through joint training, operational collaboration and the exchange of professional expertise. Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defense Agreement&nbsp;The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defense Agreement was highlighted as a symbol of mutual trust and long-standing brotherly relations between the two countries.&nbsp;Air Chief Marshal Sidhu underscored the historic and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and reiterated his commitment to expanding military-to-military cooperation through bilateral and multilateral exercises.&nbsp;He also highlighted the transformation of the Pakistan Air Force into a robust multi-domain force, integrating space, cyber, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence capabilities.&nbsp;The Saudi defense leadership praised the professionalism, operational excellence and combat readiness of the Pakistan Air Force, and showed strong interest in enhanced joint training and operational collaboration, particularly in the domain of multi-domain operations.&nbsp;They also appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.&nbsp;ISPR said the visit reflects the depth of the enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and underscores the shared resolve of both countries to further strengthen cooperation in the defense and aviation sectors.

Foreign Affairs

Both sides discuss matters related to bilateral defense collaboration, the evolving regional security environment and future avenues of cooperation.

Pakistan air chief meets Saudi military leadership, vows deeper defense cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s civilian leadership has formally approved the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the country&rsquo;s first Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), with both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif endorsing the new top military role, according to official statements issued Thursday.&nbsp;The president approved the five-year appointment after receiving the summary from the prime minister, confirming that Munir will concurrently serve as Chief of the Army Staff.&nbsp;President Zardari also endorsed a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, to take effect when his current tenure ends on March 19 next year. He conveyed &ldquo;best wishes&rdquo; to both senior officers for &ldquo;their successful tenures,&rdquo; according to the President&rsquo;s Secretariat.&nbsp;PM Sharif also congratulated Munir, calling the appointment &ldquo;aligned with contemporary and modern warfare requirements,&rdquo; adding that it would &ldquo;further strengthen the country&rsquo;s defense.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir&rsquo;s leadership, our brave armed forces have dealt a decisive defeat to the enemy,&rdquo; the prime minister said, praising what he described as a &ldquo;remarkable victory&rdquo; that had &ldquo;enhanced Pakistan&rsquo;s prestige and honor worldwide.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sharif separately congratulated Air Chief Marshal Sidhu on his extension, saying the Pakistan Air Force had demonstrated &ldquo;exceptional professional skills&rdquo; under his command, claiming that its operations had &ldquo;destroyed enemy warplanes and asserted dominance.&rdquo;&nbsp;The prime minister said all national institutions would continue to work together for &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s defense, development, and prosperity,&rdquo; adding: &ldquo;Together, we will make the country&rsquo;s defense invincible.&rdquo;

Security

PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Asim Munir as first Chief of Defense Forces, praises his leadership, extends best wishes, and commends Air Chief Zaheer Sidhu for strengthening Pakistan’s defense.

Articles tagged with "Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu"

Pakistan air chief meets Saudi military leadership, vows deeper defense cooperation

Pakistan president, PM approve Field Marshal Asim Munir as first CDF, extend air chief tenure