Jordanian Monarch Receives Warm Welcome at Nur Khan Airbase
Jordan’s King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day official visit spanning November 15–16, welcomed by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at PAF Base Nur Khan in Rawalpindi. The high-profile diplomatic engagement marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman and Minister of State for Federal Education Wajiha Qamar joined senior leadership in receiving the distinguished Jordanian delegation. Following arrival protocols, King Abdullah proceeded to the Prime Minister House where a ceremonial Guard of Honour awaited him.
Strategic Meetings and Highest Civilian Honor
The Jordanian leader will hold crucial meetings with President Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif to review comprehensive bilateral relations spanning political, economic, and cultural dimensions. A special investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr will confer Pakistan’s highest civilian award upon King Abdullah, recognizing his contributions to fostering fraternal ties between the nations.
This represents King Abdullah’s return to Pakistan following his previous visit during former President Mamnoon Hussain’s tenure, when two memoranda of understanding were signed covering civil protection, defense cooperation, and housing sector collaboration.
Expanding Bilateral Cooperation Framework
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the state visit reflects longstanding fraternal relations between Islamabad and Amman. Both countries maintain strong diplomatic connections and participated in discussions regarding President Trump’s Gaza peace plan alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
Jordan became the fifth nation worldwide to recognize Pakistan, establishing formal diplomatic relations in August 1948. Bilateral trade between the countries reached $46.58 million during 2023.
Recent Defense Collaboration
In late October, King Abdullah lauded Pakistan’s military contributions toward regional peace and security during a meeting with Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir in Jordan. The meeting, attended by Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, emphasized both nations’ commitment to strengthening defense collaboration.
Comprehensive Partnership Vision
Officials indicate the visit will significantly enhance the scope of bilateral cooperation, placing Pakistan-Jordan relations on an elevated trajectory encompassing comprehensive partnerships across multiple sectors. The strategic engagement arrives as Pakistan’s final stop in King Abdullah’s broader Asia tour, which previously included Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, and Singapore.
The two-day visit underscores both nations’ dedication to deepening historical bonds while exploring new avenues for mutual growth and regional stability.
