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ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari Monday conferred the “Hilal-i-Pakistan” award on Commander of Royal Saudi Naval Forces Admiral Dakhilallah bin Ahmed Al-Waqdani in recognition of his endeavors to strengthen cooperation between the Saudi Navy and Pakistan Navy.
Al-Waqdani called on President Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday.
The Saudi commander was accompanied by Rear Admiral Ghasham bin Manahi Al-Qahtani, COS (logistics and supply), Jasim Al-Khaldi, deputy head of mission at the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad, and other members of the commander’s delegation.
Pak-Saudi bilateral relations, including defense cooperation between the two countries, were discussed during the meeting. The president hailed the contributions of the Saudi side in promoting and giving further impetus to existing relationships between the defense forces of the two countries.
Zardari said that Pakistan values its cordial and friendly equation with Saudi Arabia and emphasized further augmenting socio-economic, trade and defense ties.
Al-Waqdani thanked the president for the meeting and expressed hope that the existing close cooperation in defense and other areas between the two countries would continue to grow for mutual benefit.
Al-Waqdani, a graduate of the Pakistan Naval Academy, received his commission in 1969 as Ensign in the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. He was promoted to the rank of admiral and appointed commander of Royal Saudi Naval Forces on May 9, 2010.
