Key Points
- Pakistan PM, UAE President reviewed progress in ongoing cooperation
- Discussed economic collaboration, investment, energy, infrastructure, information technology
- Both sides emphasised boosting trade, citing its potential for mutually beneficial growth
- The two sides discussed key regional and international developments
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have stressed the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including economic collaboration, investment, energy, infrastructure, information technology, and technology, as well as enhancing people-to-people exchanges.
President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday held wide-ranging talks in Islamabad and reviewed the progress achieved in ongoing areas of cooperation, and also explored avenues to deepen engagement across a wide range of sectors.
Their discussions focused on the exchange of views on further strengthening the longstanding fraternal relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, a statement issued by prime minister office said.
Both sides highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation in areas such as economic collaboration, investment, energy, infrastructure development, information technology, and people-to-people exchanges. They also emphasised the need to boost bilateral trade, recognising its significant potential for mutually beneficial growth.
The two leaders discussed key regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest. Expressing satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, they reiterated their determination to work together to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development.
According to the statement the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will further consolidate the deep brotherly ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates and contribute to further strengthening of their strategic partnership, the statement said.
Earlier today Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation for wide-ranging bilateral engagements with the Pakistani leadership.
Aerial salute, security escort
As the UAE president’s aircraft entered Pakistani airspace, it was escorted by JF-17 Thunder fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force. The jets provided a ceremonial aerial salute and a security escort, symbolising the warmth of bilateral ties and Pakistan’s respect for the UAE leadership.
Upon arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and other senior civil and military officials.
This was Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official state visit to Pakistan since assuming the presidency of the UAE. The visit is intended to reaffirm the historic and brotherly ties between the two countries while exploring new avenues for economic, strategic and cultural collaboration.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment, valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE foreign ministry.
It is also home to more than a million Pakistani expatriates who send back more than $5 billion in remittances to the South Asian country annually.
