COAS General Asim Munir is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia and UAE from January 4
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman discussed bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and ways to strengthen them, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, also the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, received General Munir at his winter camp in the city of AlUla.
سمو #ولي_العهد وقائد الجيش الباكستاني يستعرضان العلاقات الثنائية وفرص تطويرها.https://t.co/ZG0rWCkOwU#واس pic.twitter.com/3PhYTaPcc0
— واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) January 9, 2023
SPA also shared photos of the Crown Prince’s reception for the army chief, which was attended by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Muhammad al Alban.
The state news agency said the two leaders discussed “some issues of common interest” apart from bilateral relations.
COAS General Asim Munir is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from January 4. He is expected to return to Pakistan on January 10.
This is his first official trip abroad since taking over as army chief.
During the week-long visit, the ISPR said the army chief will meet the senior leadership of the two countries and discuss matters of mutual interest, military cooperation and bilateral relations with a focus on security-related issues.
The doors of the Kaaba were opened for General Munir
During the visit, General Munir also performed Umrah where the doors of the Kaaba were opened for him.
In a video posted on Instagram, General Munir is seen walking out of the Holy Kaaba along with some others. The army chief wore a black jacket and trousers.
It was reported that the doors of the Kaaba were opened for the top general in a show of extraordinary hospitality. General Munir, who is a Hafiz-e-Quran, offered prayers inside the Kaaba.
Another video shows the army chief visiting the Masjid-e-Nabwi (SAW), the second holiest mosque in Islam, with Saudi security personnel accompanying him.
COAS Asim Munir pays a visit to Roza-e-Rasool (SAW) in Madina pic.twitter.com/3Ps3WfeaNl
— Umar Khattak (@iUmarKhattak) January 8, 2023
Change of command at GHQ
General Munir took over the command of the Pakistan Army from General Qamar Javed Bajwa in November last year at a ceremony held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
With the change of command, General Munir became the commander of the 17th Army.
General Munir was commissioned into the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986. He passed out with the 17th Officer Training Course, Mangla, and was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour.
Before assuming responsibility, he was posted as a general at the General Headquarters.