Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday received His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at Aiwan-e-Sadr, marking a significant reaffirmation of the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and Jordan. The Jordanian monarch is currently on a State visit to Pakistan.
His Majesty was accompanied by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Chief Advisor for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy to the King; Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates; and Major General Yousef Huneiti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Prominent Pakistani leaders, including First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Senator Sherry Rehman, were present during the meeting.
Both leaders reaffirmed the fraternal and historic ties between Pakistan and Jordan, reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral relations. They emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and expand collaboration across diverse sectors.
The two sides also discussed regional and global developments, with a particular focus on peace, stability, and security in the Middle East. They highlighted the importance of close coordination in multilateral forums, as well as deepening humanitarian and development cooperation.
On Palestine, President Zardari and His Majesty King Abdullah II reiterated their shared principled stance on post-war Gaza. They categorically rejected any displacement of Palestinians and underscored the urgency of a Two-State solution, calling for the establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous State of Palestine on pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
King Abdullah II expressed pride in the longstanding partnership between Jordan and Pakistan and reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Musadik Malik, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ambassadors of both countries.
Following the meeting, a special investiture ceremony was held in which President Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country's highest civil award, on His Majesty King Abdullah II in recognition of his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties.
In a reciprocal gesture, His Majesty awarded President Zardari the Wisam al-Nahdah al-Mursa' (Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahdah)-the Order of the Renaissance-bestowed on Heads of State and distinguished dignitaries.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Chiefs of the Air Force and Navy, cabinet ministers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
A formal state banquet was later hosted at Aiwan-e-Sadr in honour of the visiting monarch.