Riyadh/Rawalpindi, December 22, 2025: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of Pakistan, was conferred the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s highest national honour, during his official visit to the Kingdom. The prestigious award was bestowed under a Royal Decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in recognition of Field Marshal Munir’s distinguished military service and his pivotal role in strengthening Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defence and strategic relations.
During the visit, Field Marshal Asim Munir called on His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence. The two leaders held comprehensive discussions on matters of mutual interest, including regional security dynamics, defence and military cooperation, strategic collaboration, counter-terrorism efforts, and evolving geopolitical challenges in the Middle East and South Asia. The interaction reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, built on shared faith, mutual trust, and longstanding institutional cooperation.
According to official sources, the conferment of the King Abdulaziz Medal acknowledges Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership and his central role in advancing defence cooperation, strategic coordination, and institutional linkages between the armed forces of the two countries. Saudi leadership particularly noted his contributions toward regional peace and stability, including sustained collaboration in counter-terrorism, military training, intelligence sharing, and joint security initiatives. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained close defence ties for decades, with Pakistani armed forces playing an important role in training and advisory capacities, while both countries regularly coordinate on regional security and stability.
The Saudi leadership conveyed its appreciation for Field Marshal Munir’s professionalism, strategic foresight, and commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh. In response, Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed deep gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi leadership for the honour, describing it as a symbol of the enduring bonds between the two brotherly nations rather than a personal achievement. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the security, stability, and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as to collective efforts for peace in the wider region.
The conferment of the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class is being viewed by diplomatic and defence observers as a strong signal of the depth of Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations at a time of complex regional and global security challenges. It underscores the shared determination of both countries to further expand strategic cooperation, defence collaboration, and political coordination in pursuit of regional stability, counter-terrorism, and global peace.
