COAS Asim Munir reaches Saudi Arabia on first overseas visit

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has reached Saudi Arabia on an official visit to the KSA and the UAE.

During his week-long visit, the Army Chief will be meeting the senior leadership of both brotherly countries to discuss matters of mutual interest, military-to-military cooperation and bilateral relations focusing on security-related subjects.

Saudi Arabia’s defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met in Riyadh Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Thursday.

The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance defence and military cooperation.

“Pleased to meet H.E General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff. We emphasized the strategic partnership between our brotherly countries, reviewed the bilateral military and defense relations, and discussed ways of strengthening our cooperation,” Prince Khalid tweeted.

Pleased to meet H.E General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff. We emphasized the strategic partnership between our brotherly countries, reviewed the bilateral military and defense relations, and discussed ways of strengthening our cooperation. pic.twitter.com/HAtcNKX6O3

— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) January 4, 2023

He also congratulated General Munir on being appointed as Chief of Army Staff.

Saudi and Pakistani military and civil officials attended the meeting.

Prior to the visit, News360 reported that Saudi Arabia and the United States (US) would be the ray of hope amid the severe economic crisis in Pakistan.

Government default imposed by regime change is looming, so frantic efforts are being made to somehow avoid it.

According to the sources, there have been two developments in this regard in recent days, which can be considered positive for the Shehbaz Sharif government.

Sources told News360 that the government is busy trying to somehow avoid going to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because it will not be possible to provide relief to the people in the presence of the strict conditions, whereas, the elections are ahead.

Sources added that in order to avoid the IMF deal, high-level contacts were made with some friendly countries, in this regard, Saudi Arabia and the United States have assured assistance.

According to sources, the United States assured to transfer $2 billion to the account of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Saudi Arabia also expressed its willingness to give another $2 billion.

Sources said that in this regard, a top military figure will visit Saudi Arabia in the next day or two, while a top government figure will visit the United States. And if the deal is finalised and things are settled, January 10 will pass well for Pakistan.