UAE urged to strengthen economic ties with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday urged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to strengthen its economic ties with Pakistan.
The prime minister pleaded for greater economic cooperation during his meeting with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who visited Islamabad while returning from a hunting expedition in Pakistan’s countryside.
“The prime minister stressed the imperative of deeper economic engagement,” the PM Office said in a statement after the conclusion of the crown prince’s trip.
“I arrived in Islamabad today and discussed with my friend Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, regional and international issues of mutual interest as well as ways to enhance bilateral ties,” Prince Zayed said in a tweet.
Bilateral annual trade between the UAE and Pakistan stood at $3.2 billion in 2018. The UAE is one of the largest foreign investors in Pakistan with investment in telecom, aviation, banking, real estate, oil and gas sectors. Moreover, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development is undertaking development and humanitarian assistance projects in Pakistan worth $200 million. The UAE also extended $3b balance of payment support to Pakistan in 2019.
Pakistan describes the UAE as its “largest trading partner in the Middle East”, “major source of investments”, and “prime development partner”. Islamabad is seeking Emirati investments in the petroleum and tourism sectors, infrastructure development and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
Prime Minister Khan, in his conversation with Prince Zayed, underscored the “economic turnaround” achieved by his government, new opportunities for foreign investment and “assured maximum facilitation for UAE investments”.
The two leaders also deliberated upon bilateral, regional and international issues.
Mr Khan drew the attention of Mr Zayed to the lockdown in Indian occupied Kashmir and communication blackout, which has been continuing for over 150 days. He also highlighted India’s discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens and their consequences not only for India’s religious minorities but also for the regional peace and security.
It may be recalled that India-UAE ties have grown in recent years on the back of a strong personal chemistry between Crown Prince Zayed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The UAE not only invited India as the ‘Guest of Honour’ at the 46th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Abu Dhabi in February 2019, but also gave its highest civilian award “Order of Zayed” to PM Modi in August 2019, weeks after New Delhi illegally annexed held Kashmir.
Mr Khan called for urgent steps to address India’s state oppression in occupied Kashmir, removal of the continuing lockdown and other restrictions, avoidance of escalation of tensions along the Line of Control and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, according to the PM Office statement.
The prime minister apprised the crown prince of Pakistan’s efforts and positive contribution to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process and said that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and the region. Mr Khan thanked the UAE leadership and its people for their commitment to Pakistan’s socio-economic development focused in particular on health, education and youth.
According to the statement, Mr Zayed had underlined UAE’s support for peace and stability in South Asia and peaceful resolution of issues. In an apparent reference to Pakistan shunning the Kuala Lumpur summit, the crown prince appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to maintaining unity in the OIC, being the leading forum of the Muslim world.
The two leaders reaffirmed their resolve to take Pak-UAE relations to a new level.
Prince Zayed was during the visit accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior officials. In a special gesture, Prime Minister Khan received the crown prince at Nur Khan Airbase. Mr Zayed had earlier visited Pakistan in January 2019.
Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2020
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