RAHIM YAR KHAN (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to transforming its long-standing relationship with the United Arab Emirates into a strategic and mutually beneficial economic partnership during a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting was held at Sheikh Zayed Palace in Rahim Yar Khan, where both leaders reviewed progress made during Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s recent visit to Pakistan and discussed future avenues of cooperation.
The UAE president paid his first official visit to Pakistan last Friday, during which wide-ranging and substantive talks were held, focusing on further strengthening the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and other senior officials. The PMO said the two leaders carried forward discussions initiated during Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit on December 26.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised the need to significantly boost bilateral trade, calling for a major increase that would take trade volumes to a desired and sustainable level. He stressed that both sides should actively pursue economic cooperation to unlock the full potential of their partnership.
The two leaders also exchanged views on expanding collaboration across several key sectors, including information technology, energy, minerals, and defence. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in bilateral cooperation and agreed to further deepen engagement in these priority areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the UAE’s rapid development and progress, attributing it to the dynamic and visionary leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. He thanked the UAE leader for his continued support and commitment to strengthening Pakistan-UAE relations.
The prime minister also expressed appreciation for the UAE’s role in hosting around 2.1 million Pakistani nationals, noting that the Pakistani community in the Emirates plays a vital role in enhancing people-to-people ties and contributing to the economies of both countries.
According to the PMO, the meeting marked the culmination of a year marked by extensive high-level engagements between Pakistan and the UAE, reflecting the shared desire to elevate bilateral relations to new heights.
Pakistan and the UAE enjoy strong diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations rooted in shared history and mutual trust. The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s leading trading partners and a major source of remittances, with a large number of Pakistanis employed across various sectors in the Emirates.
Both countries maintain close cooperation in defence, energy, and investment sectors, while the UAE has consistently extended financial assistance and humanitarian support to Pakistan during challenging times.
Earlier this year, Pakistan and the UAE signed and exchanged several memoranda of understanding aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties. These included agreements on cultural cooperation and the establishment of a joint committee to address consular affairs.
Another key agreement was signed between the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry to establish the UAE-Pakistan Joint Business Council, aimed at promoting trade and investment between the two countries.
