DAMMAM — Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrived here on Sunday on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom. Besides other engagements, Abbasi is to witness the joint military exercise ‘Gulf Shield-1’ along the east coast of the Kingdom.

Prime Minister Abbasi is accompanied by Minister for Defense Khurram Dastagir and Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz Airbase Dhahran, the prime minister was received by Eastern Province Emir Prince Saud Bin Naif. 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 one of the largest military exercises in the region. It aims at raising the level of preparedness; enhancing mutual coordination and cooperation among the participating countries, exchange of expertise and security integration.

The prime minister along with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and other leaders 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.