ISLAMABAD, APR 15 (DNA): Accompanied by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Sunday reached Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a two-day visit.

Dammam Governor Prince Saud bin Naef welcomed the prime minister.

The prime minister will participate in the concluding ceremony of a Gulf Shield, a 24-country joint military exercise.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reached Dammam Sunday on a two-day official visit to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to witness joint tri-services military exercise, ‘Gulf Shield-1’ being held along East Coast of Saudi Arabia. The Prime Minister is accompanied by Federal Minister for Defence Eng. Khurram Dastagir and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airbase Dhahran, the Prime Minister was received by the Governor of the Eastern Province Prince Saud bin Nayef Al Saud. Ambassador Khan Hasham bin Saddique and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf al-Maliki were also present at the occasion.
Gulf Shield-1 military exercise, being participated by 24 countries, is considered as one of the largest military exercise in the region. It aims at raising level of preparedness; enhancing mutual coordination and cooperation among the participating countries, exchange of expertise and security integration.
The Prime Minister along with His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and other leadership of the participating countries will witness the exercise.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close brotherly relations. The equation draws its strength from religious and cultural affinities, mutual trust and shared vision about peace and security at regional as well as international level.