Pakistan Awards Nishan-e-Pakistan to King Abdullah II of Jordan

President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday conferred Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on King Abdullah II of Jordan during a special ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The event was followed by a luncheon in the king’s honor.

The ceremony was attended by senior civil and military leadership from both countries. From Pakistan, top officials such as President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and First Lady Asifa Bhutto were present.

One of the notable moments during the ceremony was the recognition of Field Marshal Asim Munir, who was praised for his critical role in leading Pakistan’s response to the Indian military escalation in May, which many participants described as a “historic victory.”

Strengthening Ties: Four Key MoUs Signed

Earlier, on Saturday, Pakistan and Jordan signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance cultural, academic, and media cooperation between the two nations. Among the agreements, both countries signed a Programme for Cultural Cooperation and agreed to establish a Chair in Urdu and Pakistan Studies at the University of Jordan.

Additionally, Pakistan’s Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) and Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTVC), as well as the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) and JRTVC, formalized agreements aimed at enhancing radio content sharing, professional training, and providing technological support.

Official Visit by King Abdullah II

The Jordanian monarch, King Abdullah II, arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day official visit. He was warmly received by President Zardari, Prime Minister Sharif, and other senior officials at Nur Khan Airbase.

This visit highlights the ongoing strengthening of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Jordan, with a focus on cultural exchange, educational cooperation, and media collaboration. The signing of these agreements further cements the relationship between the two countries and marks an important milestone in their diplomatic ties.