Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain praised on Monday the defense ties between Riyadh and Islamabad, saying that they will strengthen further in the future. He made his remarks while receiving in Islamabad Imam of Makkah Dr. Saleh bin Mohammed Al Taleb, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). He lauded the efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, in catering to the needs of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. He also praised their role in supporting regional security and stability and international issues of common interest to the Islamic world. Hussain said that his government and the people of Pakistan hold in high regard their ties with Saudi Arabia, noting that the two countries share cordial and friendly ties based on the shared religion, fraternity, history and cultural values. He cited their common views on the majority of important issues, particularly on the regional and international arenas. He paid tribute to the support lent by the Kingdom to Pakistan and its people during difficult circumstances, noting that the people of Pakistan value the humanitarian assistance they receive from the Kingdom during natural disasters. The meeting was attended by Pakistans minister of Religious Affairs Sirdar Mohammed Yousef, Minister of Transport Hafez Abdulkareem Bakhsh and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki.