Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing military-to-military cooperation with Jordan during a visit by King Abdullah II at the Tilla Field Firing Ranges near Jhelum. The visit underscored the strong defence partnership between the two countries and highlighted their shared vision of a stable and peaceful region.
King Abdullah II, accompanied by Princess Salma bint Abdullah II and a delegation of Jordanian officials, also visited Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS), Pakistan’s state-owned defence and industrial conglomerate.
There, he was briefed on Pakistan’s defence capabilities, indigenous production, technological innovation, and potential avenues for bilateral collaboration. The briefing showcased the country’s progress and the scope for further cooperation between Pakistan and Jordan.
At the Tilla Field Firing Ranges, King Abdullah and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif observed a joint fire and manoeuvre exercise involving multi-domain operations, conventional and air firepower, coordinated manoeuvres, and drone deployments.
The Jordanian king appreciated the professionalism, operational capabilities, and high standards of training demonstrated by Pakistani troops and aircrews.
During the visit, King Abdullah conferred the Order of the Military Merit of First Degree upon COAS Munir in recognition of his contributions to strengthening Pakistan-Jordan military cooperation. The visit was described as a milestone in reinforcing historic bonds of fraternity between the two nations.
Separately, Pakistan conferred its highest civilian award, the Nishan-i-Pakistan, on King Abdullah II at a special investiture ceremony in Islamabad, where he, in turn, awarded President Asif Ali Zardari the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al-Nahda.
The honours recognized the Jordanian king’s leadership, advocacy for regional peace, support for Pakistan-Jordan relations, and efforts in promoting moderation, justice, and dialogue internationally.
Prime Minister Shehbaz and King Abdullah also held a bilateral meeting affirming “zero-tolerance” for any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and emphasized cooperation in regional stability and humanitarian support. The leaders witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding in media, culture, and education, further strengthening bilateral ties and people-to-people connections.
