ISLAMABAD: The Military Conducted The Opening Ceremony For The First Pakistan-Saudi Arabia “Joint Special Forces Exercise AL BATTAR-I” In Nowshera District’s Cherat Area In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that both Pakistan and Royal Saudi special forces are actively participating in this two-week-long exercise.
However, the purpose of the exercise is to further strengthen the historic military-to-military relations between the two countries. It aims to nurture a joint employment concept and identify areas of mutual interest for future military collaboration. The goal is to leverage each other’s experience in combating terrorism effectively.
The ISPR noted that the opening ceremony commenced with the playing of the national anthems of both nations.
Furthermore, senior officials from both armed forces were present at the event. The intention behind such joint military exercises is to enhance the existing bilateral relations and make the most of shared experiences.
These joint exercises between the two brotherly nations are regularly conducted. In February, the joint exercise “Al-Samsaam-VIII-22” took place in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Pabbi area.
Additionally, the two-week-long exercise was part of an ongoing series of bilateral military exercises between Saudi and Pakistan forces. It focused on counter-terrorism operations, including cordon and search operations, combat patrols, and handling improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Moreover, in December, a joint military counter-IED exercise known as “Al-Kassah-III” began between the two countries at King Khalid Military City Hafar Al-Batin in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan Signs Air Services Agreement With Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, the governments of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia inked the Air Services Agreement (ASA) to enhance collaboration within the aviation sector.
Khaqan Murtaza, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan, and Abdul Aziz Al Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed the agreement, aiming to facilitate citizens of both nations.
Caretaker Adviser to the Prime Minister of Aviation, Farhat Hussain Malik, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs, Aneeq Ahmed, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf Bin Saeed Al Maliki, and other officials from both countries witnessed the signing ceremony.
