ISLAMABAD: Jordan’s King Abdullah II will arrive in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day state visit on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marking a significant boost in the longstanding ties between the two countries.
According to the Foreign Office, the visit underscores the “longstanding, fraternal relations” between Islamabad and Amman and is aimed at elevating bilateral cooperation across political, economic and cultural domains.
During the visit, King Abdullah II is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Officials said the talks will cover the full spectrum of bilateral ties, with both sides expected to explore new avenues for strategic collaboration.
A special investiture ceremony will also be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where Pakistan will confer its highest civilian award on the Jordanian monarch in recognition of his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations.
It will be King Abdullah II’s first visit to Pakistan since his trip during the tenure of former president Mamnoon Hussain, when the two nations signed agreements on civil protection, defence cooperation and collaboration in the housing sector.
The latest visit comes weeks after the Jordanian King praised the professionalism of the Pakistan armed forces during a meeting with Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir in Amman.
King Abdullah expressed a desire to further expand defence cooperation, while the army chief conveyed warm regards from Pakistan’s leadership.
The Foreign Office said the visit is expected to further consolidate ties and broaden the scope of partnership between the two “brotherly countries.”
