ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Jordan on Saturday committed to strengthening their strategic and economic partnership during a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and King Abdullah II, who is on a two-day state visit to the country.
The discussions, held at the PM House, focused on expanding mutual cooperation across multiple sectors and reinforcing coordination on regional issues, particularly the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
“The two leaders emphasised the need to deepen bilateral relations and explore opportunities to enhance cooperation across several sectors, including trade, investment, health, education, and defence,” according to a state-run PTV report.
Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed the Jordanian monarch, terming his visit a “testament to the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Jordan.”
The leaders also attended a ceremony for the exchange of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) designed to enhance bilateral cooperation in media, culture, and education.
A significant portion of the talks was dedicated to the situation in Gaza. Both leaders reaffirmed their principled opposition to the forced relocation of Palestinians from the territory and vowed to strengthen coordination among the eight Arab-Islamic countries engaged with the United States to secure a ceasefire.
King Abdullah II appreciated Pakistan’s support for Jordan’s humanitarian efforts in Gaza, while also recognizing Islamabad’s role in maintaining regional peace and stability—a topic PM Shehbaz briefed him on, with a focus on recent developments in Afghanistan and India.
The Jordanian King’s arrival was marked by a formal welcome ceremony at PAF Base Nur Khan in Rawalpindi, attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz, and other senior officials. President Zardari expressed hope that the visit would “give bilateral relations a new strategic dimension,” noting that the ties between the two nations are rooted in “historical brotherhood, mutual trust, and shared values.”
Upon his arrival at the PM House, King Abdullah II was presented with a guard of honour. The high-level meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
The visit culminates with a special investiture ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, where King Abdullah II will be conferred with Pakistan’s highest civilian award.
Khalid Minhas | Editor, Diplomatic Wire
A veteran journalist with three decades of comprehensive experience, Khalid Minhas has covered politics and international relations in depth throughout his career. He has also contributed to academia, teaching journalism and mass communication as a visiting faculty member at various universities in Pakistan. He holds an M.Phil in Mass Communication and is currently a Ph.D research scholar pursuing advanced studies in the field. He is also the author of the book America, Israel aur Islam, providing insightful analysis on the subject.
