ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have expressed their deep sorrow over the death of Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai.

In a message to Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the president said: “It is with deep sadness and sense of shock that we learnt about the sudden and untimely passing away of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.”

President Musharraf also conveyed most profound and sincere condolences, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, on the sad occasion, to the brotherly people of UAE.

The president in another message to Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, now ruler of Dubai and Defence Minister of the UAE expressed “sincere condolences on the tragic passing away of your brother.”

In a message to Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the prime minister said: “With his passing away, the UAE has lost a great leader and Pakistan a true friend. He will always be remembered with a great deal of affection by all those who have benefitted from his charity.”

MOURNING: Following the sad demise of Sheikh Maktoum, the Government of Pakistan on Wednesday announced to observe one day national mourning on Thursday. The national flag would fly at half-mast on all government offices to mourn the sad demise of Sheikh Maktoum, the government statement said.—APP/Online