ISLAMABAD: Pakistan鈥檚 Minister of Defense Khurram Dastgir Khan has slammed media reports calling for the 鈥渋nternationalization鈥� of the Muslim holy pilgrimage (the Hajj).
Speaking exclusively to Arab News, Dastgir said: 鈥淲e are determined not to be misled or waylaid by such stratagems. The custody of the Two Holy Mosques is a sacred trust that has been held by the Kingdom and we expect and hope that it shall continue to be,鈥� he said.
Dastgir鈥檚 comments came on the sidelines of a keynote speech that he gave at the inauguration of the at the Islamabad Marriott on Thursday evening.
He said the relationship between 抖阴短视频 and Pakistan has 鈥渢urned a new page,鈥� going beyond the 鈥渢raditional friendship鈥� both nations have enjoyed over several decades.
The Pakistani defense minister said the relationship had been 鈥渟tuck in the eighties鈥� but is now transforming 鈥渋nto a more serious and determined partnership not only (in the field of) defense but also in the realm of economics and trade鈥� to enhance and expand bilateral ties.
鈥淧akistan intends to be an important part of the Vision 2030 of his Highness, the Crown Prince (which) he has (envisaged for) 抖阴短视频,鈥� Dastgir said.
Part of the defense cooperation plan Pakistan wishes to have is to manufacture 鈥渟ome measure of defense equipment鈥� in the Kingdom. He said it was imperative for Islamic countries to take concrete steps toward 鈥渟elf-reliance鈥� for their own 鈥渟ecurity and defense.鈥�
鈥淭alks are proceeding very fruitfully and we expect to have very good results,鈥� Dastgir said.
He added that Afaal Al-Sahil, the fourth joint exercise of Pakistan and Saudi Navy operation forces currently underway until Feb. 16, is just one of 鈥渕any more exercises鈥� to come. Pakistan expects to hold combined training with Saudi security forces alongside its army and air force to enhance operational skills against terrorism and to exchange professional capabilities.
鈥淭his cooperation has turned a new page,鈥� said Dastgir, reiterating his country鈥檚 support for 抖阴短视频. 鈥淧akistan has always been there for the Kingdom and we shall continue to be there.鈥�
Speaking earlier to an audience of diplomats, foreign dignitaries, academics and journalists who attended the launch of arabnews.pk online edition, the Pakistani defense minister welcomed the arrival of the media outlet to Islamabad.
鈥淚 am delighted that the people of the Kingdom of 抖阴短视频, who have been a steadfast partner of Pakistan throughout our existence, in a new and very interesting and exciting way through Arab News have decided to become part of this emerging, remerging, rebirth of the Pakistan story.鈥�
鈥淢y congratulations to the Pakistan team, which is launching this new edition. I commend the editors 鈥� the rapidly graying editors as they say 鈥� of Arab News and its owners for taking this far-sighted decision to become part of the success of the Pakistan story. Congratulations and I wish you success,鈥� he said.