Islamabad: King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan arrived in Islamabad today for a two-day official visit, marking the first visit by a Jordanian monarch in 21 years. He was warmly received at Nur Khan Airbase by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The welcoming delegation included members of the Federal Cabinet such as Musaddiq Malik and Wajiha Qamar, First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. A special air escort was provided by Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder jets as the King’s aircraft entered Pakistani airspace, demonstrating the ceremonial grandeur and strategic importance of the visit.
President Zardari highlighted that King Abdullah II’s visit is expected to give Pakistan-Jordan relations a “new strategic dimension,” emphasizing the historical brotherhood, mutual trust, and shared values between the two nations. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, includes high-level meetings with both the President and Prime Minister, focusing on the full spectrum of bilateral relations.
A highlight of the visit will be a special investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where the King will be conferred Pakistan’s highest civilian honor. The historic visit underscores the enduring political, economic, and cultural ties between Pakistan and Jordan and is expected to strengthen cooperation between the two countries further.
