Pomp, pageantry and protocol: Visuals from UAE crown prince's brief visit to Islamabad

The visit included a one-on-one meeting between the crown prince and PM Imran Khan and delegation-level talks.
Published January 6, 2019

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan paid a quick visit to Islamabad on Sunday ─ his first in nearly 12 years ─ and met the prime minister and other top officials as both countries seek to capitalise on the fresh momentum in ties due to a flurry of recent contacts at the leadership level.

Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who last visited Pakistan in 2007, was given a red carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute when he touched down at Nur Khan airbase around noon today amid much fanfare in the capital. A troupe of folk musicians and cultural dancers also put on a small show to receive him.

Prime Minister Imran Khan hugged the crown prince as he stepped off the plane and then, setting aside protocol, drove him personally to PM House where a welcome ceremony was held in his honour.

A police commando walks past the huge billboards showing the portraits of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed, centre, former President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, left, and Prime Minister Imran Khan to welcome the crown prince to Islamabad. — AP
A police commando walks past the huge billboards showing the portraits of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed, centre, former President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, left, and Prime Minister Imran Khan to welcome the crown prince to Islamabad. — AP

Islamabad had been decked out with billboards and panaflexes welcoming the visiting crown prince. — DawnNewsTV
Islamabad had been decked out with billboards and panaflexes welcoming the visiting crown prince. — DawnNewsTV

Prime Minister Imran Khan personally received Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed, who was given a red carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute when he touched down at Nur Khan airbase.—DawnNewsTV

Prime Minister Imran Khan hugged the crown prince as he stepped off the plane at Nur Khan airbase. — AFP
Prime Minister Imran Khan hugged the crown prince as he stepped off the plane at Nur Khan airbase. — AFP

Prime Minister Khan walks with the UAE royal at Nur Khan airbase. — Photo courtesy UAE Embassy PK Twitter
Prime Minister Khan walks with the UAE royal at Nur Khan airbase. — Photo courtesy UAE Embassy PK Twitter

Setting aside protocol, PM Imran Khan personally drives the crown prince to PM House upon his arrival in Islamabad. ─ DawnNewsTV

PM Khan and the crown prince arrive at PM House. — Photo courtesy PTI official Twitter
PM Khan and the crown prince arrive at PM House. — Photo courtesy PTI official Twitter

The crown prince attended a welcome ceremony held in his honour at the PM House. — Photo courtesy PTI official Twitter
The crown prince attended a welcome ceremony held in his honour at the PM House. — Photo courtesy PTI official Twitter

At PM House, a guard of honour was presented by a contingent of the armed forces to the visiting dignitary, who reviewed the parade. — Photo courtesy PTI official Twitter
At PM House, a guard of honour was presented by a contingent of the armed forces to the visiting dignitary, who reviewed the parade. — Photo courtesy PTI official Twitter

Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed receives a guard of honour at a welcome ceremony at PM House during which the national anthems of both countries were played, and the UAE royal was given a fly-past by an impressive formation of JF-17 fighter jets. — DawnNewsTV

Prime Minister Khan accompanies Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed at the PM House, where a welcome ceremony was held in his honour. — Photo courtesy PTI official Twitter.
Prime Minister Khan accompanies Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed at the PM House, where a welcome ceremony was held in his honour. — Photo courtesy PTI official Twitter.

Prime Minister Khan walks with the UAE crown prince inside the PM House. — Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan
Prime Minister Khan walks with the UAE crown prince inside the PM House. — Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan

The prime minister and the crown prince held one-on-one talks during the UAE leader's one-day visit.

The visitors also held delegation-level talks with the Pakistan side.

The crown prince held one-on-one talks with Prime Minister Khan, followed by delegation level talks. — Photo courtesy Mohamed Bin Zayed Twitter
The crown prince held one-on-one talks with Prime Minister Khan, followed by delegation level talks. — Photo courtesy Mohamed Bin Zayed Twitter

Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan waves goodbye to UAE's crown prince upon his departure at Nur Khan airbase. — Photo: PTI Twitter
Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan waves goodbye to UAE's crown prince upon his departure at Nur Khan airbase. — Photo: PTI Twitter


Header photo: Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan reviews a guard of honour at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad. — PID/AFP