ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and King Abdullah II, ibn Al Hussein reaffirmed Pakistan–Jordan ties and exchanged top state honors during a high-level meeting and investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Sunday, according to the Presidency.
President Zardari received the Jordanian monarch, who is on a state visit to Pakistan, along with Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti.
Senior Pakistani figures including First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Senator Sherry Rehman were also present.
During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed the “longstanding and fraternal ties” between the two nations and discussed the full spectrum of bilateral relations. They agreed on strengthening people-to-people exchanges and intensifying cooperation across political, economic and cultural sectors.
Reviewing regional and international developments, the two sides placed particular emphasis on peace and stability in the Middle East. On the issue of Palestine, President Zardari and King Abdullah II noted their “convergence of views” and reiterated their shared stance on post-war Gaza.
They “rejected any displacement of Palestinians” and underscored the need for a Two-State solution based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.
King Abdullah II expressed pride in the “deep-rooted ties” between Jordan and Pakistan, reaffirming Amman’s commitment to expanding cooperation “across various sectors.” Both leaders also agreed to maintain close coordination on bilateral, regional and global issues.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister Climate Change Musadik Malik, senior foreign ministry officials and the ambassadors of both countries attended the meeting.
A special investiture ceremony followed, during which President Zardari conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civil award, on King Abdullah II. In a reciprocal gesture, the King awarded President Zardari the “Wasam al-Nahda al-Mursaa,” Order of the Renaissance, a distinction reserved for heads of state and eminent dignitaries.
The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, federal ministers and members of the diplomatic corps. A state banquet was later hosted in honor of the Jordanian monarch.
