Jordan’s King Abdullah II was warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on his arrival in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day state visit.
The Pakistani officials welcomed his delegation at the Nur Khan Airbase. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari were also present to welcome the Jordanian king.
President Zardari said that King Abdullah II’s visit would give Pakistan–Jordan relations a new strategic dimension. He added that the ties between the two countries were built on historical brotherhood, mutual trust and shared values.
A statement issued by state broadcaster PTV News on X said the visit reflected the “longstanding fraternal relations” between the two countries and would further strengthen political, economic and cultural ties.
It said he will hold a bilateral meeting with PM Shehbaz, followed by a meeting at the delegation level.
“This visit of King Abdullah II will further solidify the longstanding relations between Pakistan and Jordan and will prove instrumental in expanding the scope of bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries.”
A statement from the President’s Secretariat said that a formation of Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder aircraft provided a protective escort and accompanied the royal flight to Islamabad as the king’s aircraft entered Pakistani airspace.
The king later arrived at the Prime Minister’s House, where he was presented with a guard of honour.
The Jordanian monarch’s last visit to Pakistan was at the invitation of former president Mamnoon Hussain. Two memoranda of understanding were signed by both nations, with one related to cooperation in civil protection and defence and the other to cooperation in the housing sector.
Last month, he lauded the Pakistani military’s contributions to regional peace and security in a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The army chief was on an official visit to Jordan and had called on the Jordanian king for a meeting, with Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II also present.
Additional reporting by Nadir Guramani.
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