Saudi land forces commander meets Pakistan army chief, discusses regional situation 

Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Mutair, Commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces (left) meets General Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan Army Chief in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on November 27, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Military’s media wing)
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Updated 27 November 2023
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Saudi land forces commander meets Pakistan army chief, discusses regional situation 

  • The visiting dignitary was presented guard of honor upon arrival at the Pakistan Army headquarters 
  • The two military commanders discussed cooperation in fields of defense, security and military training 

ISLAMABAD: Lt. Gen. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Mutair, commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF), on Monday called on Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir and discussed with him regional situation among other affairs of mutual interest, the Pakistani military said. 

The meeting was held at the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing. 

Upon arrival at the GHQ, a smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Army presented guard of honor to the visiting dignitary. 

“During the meeting, both sides discussed various areas of mutual interest including cooperation in the fields of defense, security, military training as well as regional situation and the ongoing conflict in Middle East,” the ISPR said in a statement. 

The meeting came as a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas entered its final 24 hours on Monday. The pause that began Friday has seen dozens of hostages freed, with over 100 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel in return.

Attention now has turned to whether the truce will be extended before its scheduled end early Tuesday, weeks after Hamas militants poured across the border on October 7 and killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials. In response, Israel launched a military campaign to destroy Hamas, killing nearly 15,000 people, including thousands of children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan Army’s role in fighting militancy and paid rich tribute to the sacrifices made in bringing peace to the region, according to the statement. 

The army chief thanked the Saudi military commander and said Pakistan “deeply values” its strategic and brotherly ties with the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have cordial cultural, defense and economic ties, deeply rooted in history and religion. The relations between armed forces of the two countries are characterized by extensive defense cooperation and coordination across various domains. 

The Kingdom is also home to over two million Pakistanis, making it the largest contributor to remittance inflows into the South Asian country and one of the key strategic and economic partners of Pakistan. 


Pakistan joins 22 Muslim states, OIC to condemn Israeli FM’s visit to Somaliland

Updated 08 January 2026
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Pakistan joins 22 Muslim states, OIC to condemn Israeli FM’s visit to Somaliland

  • Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited breakaway African region of Somaliland on January 6
  • Muslim states urge Israel to withdraw Somaliland recognition, respect Somalia’s sovereignty

ISLAMABAD: A joint statement by Pakistan, 22 other Muslim states and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s recent visit to Somaliland as a violation of the African nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Saar’s visit to Somaliland capital Hargeisa on Jan. 6 followed Israel’s move last month to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region from Somalia, as an independent country. The move drew a sharp reaction from Muslim states, including Pakistan, who said it was in contravention of the UN Charter and international norms. 

Several international news outlets months earlier reported that Israel had contacted Somaliland over the potential resettlement of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza. Muslim countries fear Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region could be part of its plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the region. 

“The said visit constitutes a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and undermines established international norms and the United Nations Charter,” the joint statement shared by Pakistan’s foreign office, read. 

The joint statement was issued on behalf of 23 Muslim states, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Türkiye, Oman and others. 

It reaffirmed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, pointing out that respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states was necessary for regional stability. 

“Encouraging secessionist agendas are unacceptable and risk exacerbating tensions in an already fragile region,” the statement said. 

The joint statement urged Israel to revoke its recognition of the breakaway region. 

“Israel should fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity and honor its obligations in compliance with international law, and demand immediate revocation of the recognition issued by Israel,” the statement read.

Somaliland broke away from Somalia unilaterally in 1991 as a civil war raged in the country. Somaliland has its own constitution, parliament and currency, a move that has infuriated Somalia over the years as it insists the region is part of its territory.