Pakistan Army troops in Saudi Arabia to take defence ties to new heights: Defence Analysts
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ISLAMABAD - Defense and political experts here Tuesday said defense cooperation between Pakistan and Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA) will touch new heights of friendship after the decision of Federal Government to send additional troops to the holy land for provision of training and advisory missions for the Saudi armed forces.
Former Secretary Law and Order Fata and renowned defense analyst, Brigadier (Retd) Mehmood Shah told APP that Pakistan and KSA relations are deep-rooted, historic and time-tested spreading over 50 years and this decision was the part of the continuity of long defense cooperation between the two brotherly Islamic countries.
He said both the countries enjoy extremely cordial relations with strong religious, cultural and historic bonds and have commonalities of views on most of regional and international issues.
Pakistan had trained Saudi Armed forces personnel in various training and educational institutions of the country in the past, and that sending of additional troops would be purely for training and advisory missions purposes, he explained.
Brigadier (R) Mehmood said Pakistani armed forces have vast experience in mountain warfare and counter terrorism operations and their outstanding role has been globally recognized, adding deployment of troops at KSA was under the bilateral protocol agreement of 1982. Pakistan and KSA have complete harmony and view points on most of regional and international issues by holding regular consultative sessions and are keen to further augment regional cooperation in various fields of mutual interest besides furthering the cause of maintaining international peace, stability and economic prosperity.
Brigadier Mehmood Shah said Parliament was the best forum to deliberate on this important issue and a comprehensive strategy should be adopted by taking nation into confidence on such sensitive issues.
Sardar Aurangzaib Nalota, PMLN Parliamentary leader in KP Assembly told APP that the Government has taken a bold and accurate decision for sending additional troops to KSA for training and consultative mission, which will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia, he said, is a country of holy places and enhanced cooperation in defense between Islamabad and Riyadh would help prove positive for entire Muslim Ummah. - APP
