Pakistan's top military official, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has been honoured with Saudi Arabia's most prestigious civilian award during an official visit to the Kingdom. The Chief of Defence Forces received the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellence, the nation's highest national decoration, in a ceremony held on Monday.
Royal Decree Confers Prestigious Award
The honour was granted under a Royal Decree issued by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The Pakistan Army officially announced the conferral, stating that the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class represents the peak of Saudi national honours.
According to reports from the news agency PTI, the army's statement highlighted that the Saudi leadership expressed deep appreciation for Field Marshal Munir's professional competence and strategic vision. The award specifically acknowledged his significant role in fortifying the long-standing and close relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Strengthening Strategic Ties and Cooperation
In response to receiving the medal, Field Marshal Munir conveyed his sincere gratitude to King Salman and the broader Saudi leadership. He described the award not merely as a personal accolade but as a symbol of the enduring bonds connecting the two nations. The Field Marshal further reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the security, stability, and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The visit included a high-level meeting with Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Discussions between the two sides covered a spectrum of issues of mutual interest, with a focus on regional security, defence and military cooperation, strategic collaboration, and navigating evolving geopolitical challenges.
A History of Honouring Allies
This is not the first time the prestigious King Abdulaziz Sash has been awarded to a foreign leader. In a notable precedent, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the same honour in 2016 during his official visit to the Kingdom. King Salman bin Abdulaziz presented the award to PM Modi, recognising the strengthening ties between India and Saudi Arabia at that time.
The conferral of the medal upon Pakistan's Field Marshal underscores the continued strategic importance Riyadh places on its relationship with Islamabad. It highlights the defence and security dimensions of a partnership that has historically been a cornerstone of foreign policy for both nations.
