President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday conferred Pakistan’s highest civilian honour, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on Jordan’s King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein in recognition of the monarch’s contributions to regional and global peace, as well as his role in strengthening bilateral relations.
The special investiture ceremony took place at Aiwan-e-Sadr after President Zardari hosted King Abdullah II for a luncheon attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, according to state broadcaster PTV.
In a reciprocal gesture, King Abdullah II bestowed upon President Zardari the Wisam al-Nahdah al-Mursa (Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahdah), also known as the Order of the Renaissance — an honour reserved for heads of state and distinguished dignitaries.
Prior to the ceremony, both leaders held a meeting to review key regional and international developments, with a strong focus on peace and security in the Middle East. They stressed the need to enhance cooperation at multilateral forums and expand joint efforts for humanitarian causes.
King Abdullah II expressed pride in the “deep-rooted ties” between Jordan and Pakistan, adding that his country was eager to broaden collaboration across diverse sectors. The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination on bilateral, regional, and global matters.
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 Pakistan’s Foreign Office, and the ambassadors of both countries.
Firm Support for a Two-State Solution
President Zardari and King Abdullah II reiterated their unwavering support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. They reaffirmed their principled stance on post-war Gaza, categorically rejecting any proposals that involve the displacement of Palestinians.
Both leaders called for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Their remarks came as senior Israeli ministers, including Defence Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, publicly rejected the possibility of a Palestinian state. Katz stated on X that “Israel’s policy is clear: There will be no Palestinian state,” while Saar said Israel would “not agree” to its establishment.
King Abdullah II’s visit to Pakistan marks a continuation of high-level engagement between the two nations, following COAS Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s recent trip to Jordan for defence and security discussions.
