Saudi Arabia awards Pakistan army chief highest national honor after defense pact
Saudi Arabia has awarded its highest national honor to Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during his visit to Riyadh, Pakistan's military said Monday, underscoring deepening ties between the two countries, including cooperation on counterterrorism.
Munir received the King Abdulaziz Medal of the Excellent Class on Sunday, months after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a defense pact with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighting the longstanding strategic relationship between the two countries.
In September, Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said his nation's nuclear program "will be made available" to Saudi Arabia if needed under the countries' new defense pact.
Munir's visit to Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries is his first since his promotion to Pakistan's newly created post of chief of defense forces, aimed at improving coordination among the army, navy, and air force.
Saudi Arabia has maintained close economic, religious, and security ties with Pakistan for decades.
Munir rose to prominence earlier this year after Pakistan said it repelled India in a four-day border conflict. The nuclear-armed rivals exchanged tit-for-tat strikes in May following an Indian operation targeting militants inside Pakistan, which New Delhi accused of involvement in the killing of 26 tourists in India-controlled Kashmir.
The confrontation eased after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire.
In a statement, Pakistan's military said the conferring of the award upon Munir "underscores the depth of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations and the shared determination of both nations to strengthen further strategic cooperation in pursuit of regional and global peace."
It said the honor recognizes Munir's military service, leadership and efforts in advancing defense cooperation, strategic coordination and institutional links between the two nations.
During meetings with Saudi officials on Sunday, the two sides discussed regional security, defense and military cooperation, strategic collaboration and evolving geopolitical challenges, the military said. Both countries reaffirmed their "deep-rooted, historic and brotherly relations."
Saudi leaders praised Munir's professionalism and strategic outlook, the statement said. Munir expressed gratitude for the honor, calling it a reflection of the enduring ties between the two nations, and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the kingdom's security, stability and prosperity.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained defense ties for decades, partly based on Islamabad's stated willingness to help protect the Islamic holy sites of Mecca and Medina. The Kingdom has also financially helped Pakistan to overcome default on the payments of foreign debts.
22 December 2025, 17:39
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The jewellery case, referred to as Toshakhana 2 in Pakistan, concerns a Bulgari jewellery set given to Bushra Bibi by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a state visit in 2021, according to court documents.
Under Pakistan's rules on state gifts, these items go to Pakistan's Toshakana department (state treasury), but politicians are able to purchase the items back.
Khan is alleged to have asked a private firm to undervalue the jewellery set, before purchasing it back at a significantly reduced price.
In addition to their jail terms, the pair were handed a fine of over 16 million Pakistani rupees (£42,600).. . .
These [X posts] have been highly critical of Pakistan's current government and its politically powerful army Chief Field Marshall Asim Munir, including posts calling him a tyrannical dictator. BBC
22 December 2025, 17:42
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The BBC story continues: In November, he was denied any visitors for nearly a month.
After campaigning by his family and party, his sister was allowed to visit in early December; a few hours after she saw him, his account posted a comment credited to Khan calling the Field Marshall Asim Munir a "mentally unstable person".
Khan, 73, has not been allowed any family visits since.
The BBC headline: Imran Khan and wife given further jail terms after state gift fraud case
The last sentence of the story: The judgement states the judge was lenient in sentencing because of Khan's "old age".
22 December 2025, 17:44
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If you've read the Naharnet story, which I just did, you'd have noticed: Munir's visit to Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries is his first since his promotion to Pakistan's newly created post of chief of defense forces, aimed at improving coordination among the army, navy, and air force.
22 December 2025, 17:45
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The Kingdom has also financially helped Pakistan to overcome default on the payments of foreign debts.
