COAS discusses defence, security affairs with Saudi counterpart

Rawalpindi_H.E General Fayyadh Bin Hamed Al Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff
Armed Forces of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,led by a high powered military delegation called on General Syed Asim Munir, HI(M) Chief of Army Staff.

During the meeting, both sides deliberated upon various areas of mutual interest, bilateral cooperation including defence and security matters.

Chief of General Staff Armed Forces of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia General Fayyadh Bin Hamed Al Ruwaili, led by a high-powered military delegation, called on Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir,” the military’s media wing said in a brief statement about the meeting.

On the occasion, the two commanders deliberated upon various areas of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation including defence and security matters.

The ISPR further added that earlier, the delegation also called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at the Joint Staff Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

It may be noted that Gen Munir told the Pakistani businessmen earlier this month about a $25 billion investment assured by Saudi Arabia, which had assured Pakistan of investment in IT, minerals, agriculture and defence under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

The COAS told the business community that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman had agreed that of the $25 billion, $10 billion would be kept in the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). This will be returned in the form of the Pakistani rupee or goods so that the foreign exchange could increase.

The army chief had also said that the crown prince has identified bureaucracy obstacles to investment and called for removing them, adding that they have Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to do away with the bureaucratic hurdles.

Earlier, delegation also met General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, HI(M) Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee at Joint Staff Headquarters.