CDF Munir, Kuwait FM discuss regional security and steps to boost bilateral cooperation

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and the visiting foreign minister of Kuwait discussed regional security and steps to boost bilateral cooperation on Wednesday, the military’s media wing said. Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who landed in Pakistan last night on an official visit, called on the field marshal at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). “During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security and steps to further strengthen bilateral cooperation were discussed,” the statement issued by the ISPR on social media said.

It added that CDF Munir reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to Kuwait, emphasising that both countries shared a “common vision for regional peace and prosperity”. Meanwhile, Al-Sabah appreciated Pakistan’s “steadfast support”, its constructive contribution toward regional peace and stability, and the deep fraternal ties between the two nations, the statement said. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the visiting FM and expressed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Kuwait in diverse sectors, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. According to a statement issued by the PMO, the visiting minister was warmly welcomed by the premier. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with the federal ministers for defence, commerce, national food security and research, communications, maritime affairs, and petroleum. The adviser to the prime minister and senior government officials were also present. “The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of ties and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Kuwait in diverse fields, including trade, investment, energy, agriculture, information technology, maritime affairs, and human resource development,” the statement said.

The two leaders exchanged views on the regional situation, with PM Shehbaz reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity with the leadership and people of Kuwait. He strongly condemned the attacks on Kuwait and other Gulf countries during the ongoing Middle East conflict, the PMO added. He stated that Pakistan was playing its part as an “honest and sincere mediator and facilitator” in the regional peace efforts, thanking the Kuwaiti leadership for its support. Al-Sabah in turn reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to further enhancing bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual benefit, the statement said. He appreciated the “valuable contributions” of Pakistan — particularly by PM Shehbaz, DPM Dar, and CDF Munir — in “advancing dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the current crisis and restore peace to the region”, it added. According to the PMO, the two sides stressed the importance of “continued consultation and coordination” on issues of mutual interest and agreed to exchange delegations in the near future to carry these discussions forward. “In this regard, the prime minister reiterated his invitation to His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient time,” it added. Regional situation discussed in meeting with Dar DPM Dar also held a separate meeting with Kuwait’s foreign minister, with the situation in the Middle East coming under discussion. According to the Foreign Office (FO), the two held a “warm and productive” tête-à-tête at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan–Kuwait bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening the longstanding brotherly partnership,” it said. “They also held in-depth discussions on regional and international developments, with particular focus on the evolving situation in the Middle East,” it added.

Later, the two leaders co-chaired delegation-level talks, the FO posted on X, adding that both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Kuwait bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, labour, agriculture, information technology, health, mining and minerals, defence and the broader economic partnership. “They agreed to further institutionalise bilateral cooperation through enhanced institutional linkages and regular high-level exchanges,” the FO said. It added that the two sides also “reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and cooperation at multilateral forums on issues of mutual interest”. According to the FO, the Kuwaiti FM thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the “warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation”. “He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Kuwait during the Covid-19 pandemic,” during which Pakistan had signed an agreement to send hundreds of medical workers to the Gulf country at its request. The FO further said that DPM Dar reaffirmed “Pakistan’s deep commitment to its longstanding brotherly relations with Kuwait and underscored Pakistan’s desire to further expand the mutually beneficial partnership across all areas of cooperation”. “The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, including the situation in the Middle East and Palestine. The Kuwaiti foreign minister also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability,” it said.

The visiting dignitary departed Islamabad following the successful conclusion of his official visit to Pakistan. He was seen off at Islamabad International Airport by Additional Secretary (Middle East) Zahid Hussain, according to the FO.

He had arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday at the invitation of Deputy PM Dar. The FO said that upon arrival at the Islamabad International Airport, he was received by Zahid Hussain, additional secretary at the foreign ministry.

It added that the minister’s visit to Pakistan reflected the longstanding brotherly relations between the two countries, “anchored in shared history, mutual trust and close cooperation”. Announcing the visit on Monday, the FO said Kuwait’s top diplomat was expected to pay a courtesy call on the leadership of Pakistan.

Pakistan has been negotiating an expanded defence pact with Kuwait in exchange for energy cooperation and investment, the Reuters news agency reported earlier this month, citing five sources with knowledge of the talks.