Why Saudi Arabia give its highest civilian honour to Pakistan’s Defence Chief Asim Munir?   

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, Field Marshal Munir met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on Monday during an official visit to the Kingdom, The Express Tribune reported.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, including the regional security situation, defence and military cooperation, strategic collaboration, and evolving geopolitical challenges.

Field Marshal Munir was awarded Saudi Arabia’s highest national honour under a royal decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

“The honour recognises Field Marshal Asim Munir’s distinguished military service and leadership, his central role in advancing defence cooperation, strategic coordination and institutional linkages between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as well as his contributions to regional peace and stability, including sustained collaboration in counter-terrorism and security,” the ISPR statement said.

‘Divine help saved us’: Munir on May India-Pakistan clash

Field Marshal Asim Munir has also claimed that Pakistan received what he described as “divine help” during its brief but intense military confrontation with India in May, following New Delhi’s Operation Sindoor strikes on terror infrastructure across the border.

Speaking at the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad earlier this month, Munir said Pakistan’s armed forces experienced “divine intervention” during the four-day escalation with India. Reciting verses from the Quran, he framed the conflict in religious terms, telling the gathering that the military felt the presence of divine assistance.

“We felt it,” Munir said, referring to the hostilities that followed India’s precision strikes.

Operation Sindoor and the May escalation

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted terror camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, triggering several days of cross-border military exchanges.

The confrontation marked one of the sharpest escalations between India and Pakistan in recent years and ended on May 10 after both sides reached an understanding to halt military action.