The award, Pakistan’s second highest honor, was given to Prince Khalid for his role in promoting relations between the armies of the two countries. Prince Khalid and his delegation also had a meeting with Zardari during which bilateral issues were discussed.

Zardari told the Saudi delegation that Pakistan valued its relations with Saudi Arabia and wants to strengthen the existing ties.

Earlier, Prince Khalid and Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani discussed defense cooperation at a meeting at the Pak Army general headquarters in Rawalpindi. They also witnessed Saudi-Pak joint military exercises Al-Samsam 4 in Jhelum.

Kayani said Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were bonded by strong friendship. Referring to militancy, Gen. Kayani said Pakistan would brook no incursions into its territory by Afghan militants and respond in a befitting manner.

Last month, Pakistan lodged a formal protest with the Afghan government over cross-border attacks from Kunar and Nuristan at Pakistani checkpoints.

Prince Khalid also visited the Martyrs Monument at the general headquarters. Referring to the joint exercises Kayani said the objective of the drill is to combat terrorism.

He said that military operations are not the ideal solution to any problem and added that the global community was aware of the fact.

Saudi-Pak joint military exercises took place near Mangla on Thursday in an attempt to provide the opportunity to both troops to benefit from each other's training experiences.

During Thursday's exercises, personnel from both the armies successfully attacked the dummy hide-outs of the terrorists.

The drill is part of three-week joint military exercises that aim at sharing information through training.

Earlier, Lt. Gen. Khalid bin Bandar met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Khalid Shameem Wyne and discussed matters of mutual interests.