Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), held high-level talks with Saudi Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The meeting, described by both sides as a cornerstone of regional security, focused on solidifying the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) and expanding military-to-military cooperation.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (#COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of #Pakistan, called on Khalid Bin Salman, Minister of Defence, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), reaffirming the strong relations and strategic defense partnership and discussed… pic.twitter.com/ct2yCp60mc
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) February 12, 2026
Strengthening the “Strategic Shield”
The discussions come less than a year after the historic September 2025 pact, which formalizes a “defense of one is a defense of all” doctrine between Islamabad and Riyadh. The meeting aimed to translate this strategic alignment into operational reality, particularly regarding:
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Joint Deterrence: Developing coordinated responses to regional aggression.
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Counter-Terrorism: Sharing intelligence and tactical expertise to combat extremist threats across the Middle East and South Asia.
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Global Peace: Aligning diplomatic and military efforts to support international stability, specifically in the context of the evolving geopolitical landscape.
“Met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to reaffirm our strong relations and strategic defense partnership,” Prince Khalid bin Salman shared via X. “We discussed our joint efforts to promote global peace and security in a manner that serves our shared interests.”
A Partnership of Excellence
The visit highlights the unique standing of Field Marshal Munir in the Kingdom. In late 2025, he was conferred with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class, Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honor, recognizing his “pivotal role in advancing institutional linkages” between the two armed forces.
The meeting also precedes the highly anticipated visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Pakistan later this year, as the two nations explore a landmark $2 billion deal to convert Saudi loans into the purchase of Pakistani-manufactured JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
