ISLAMABAD: Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said on Thursday he had met Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to reaffirm the strategic defense partnership and discuss cooperation to promote global peace and security.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of deepening defense and security ties between the two countries. Last September, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral defense accord that elevated long-standing military cooperation into a formal security commitment, with both sides pledging to treat aggression against one as a threat to the other.

“Met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to reaffirm our strong relations and strategic defense partnership,” the Saudi minister said in a social media post. “We discussed our joint efforts to promote global peace and security in a manner that serves our shared interests.”

The talks take place at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the conflict in Gaza far from resolution amid ongoing ceasefire violations by Israel.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long maintained close economic, diplomatic and security ties, and coordination between the two sides has intensified since the signing of the defense pact.

The two countries are also part of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace and have pressed for progress toward an independent Palestinian state and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza along with other Muslim nations.

The Middle East has also been on edge as the United States pursues nuclear negotiations with Iran, prompting many regional states to call for diplomacy rather than new military flare-ups.

So far, Pakistan’s military has not issued a detailed statement about Thursday’s meeting.

Earlier this month, Pakistani officials attended the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, a major international exhibition bringing together governments, armed forces and global defense manufacturers.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have also discussed expanding economic cooperation, including efforts to combine Pakistan’s production capacity with Saudi capital and access to regional markets, according to Pakistan’s commerce ministry.