• Agreements in banking, mining, infrastructure, railway signed; crown prince says MoUs reflect the trust, enduring relations
• PM welcomes Emirates expanding its investment portfolio
• President confers Nishan-i-Pakistan on visiting royal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in various sectors, including banking, mining, infrastructure, and railways.

The deals were inked on the occasion of UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first formal visit to Pakistan.

The visiting royal and PM Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the exchange of pre-signed documents. Members of the federal cabinet (albeit before its expansion later in the day), Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, and members of the UAE delegation were also present at the occassion.

The crown prince, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior officials and business leaders, first met with PM Shehbaz for a one-on-one discussion, followed by delegation-level talks. The presence of senior security officials in the delegation suggested that the two sides also touched upon security-related matters.

During their meeting, Sheikh Khaled and PM Shehbaz discussed the transformation of the Pakistan-UAE ties from strong political relations into a mutually beneficial economic partnership. The prime minister emphasised the significance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Line project, noting that its completion would enhance connectivity and benefit the ports of Gwadar and Abu Dhabi.

He also welcomed the UAE’s interest in expanding its investment portfolio in Pakistan, highlighting the successful investment initiatives between various Pakistani entities and Abu Dhabi ports as a testament to growing cooperation.

The PM said it was a matter of huge satisfaction that the two countries were now working more closely than ever before to transform their excellent political ties into a mutually beneficial economic partnership.

Sheikh Khaled thanked the prime minister and reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s economic development and prosperity.

PM Shehbaz also shared the update of his meeting with the UAE crown prince in a social media post, describing the visit as fruitful. “Honoured to welcome HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, today. We held the most fruitful discussions and resolved to further strengthen our excellent bilateral ties through enhanced trade, investment & energy cooperation. With the encouragement and support of the UAE’s royal family, Pakistan-UAE ties are growing from strength to strength,” the premier said in a post on X.

Nishan-i-Pakistan ceremony

Following his meeting with the prime minister, Sheikh Khaled also called on President Asif Ali Zardari. During their discussion, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties, particularly in business, infrastructure development, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contacts.

Later, President Zardari conferred the Nishan-i-Pakistan — the country’s highest civilian award — upon Sheikh Khaled in recognition of his contributions to promoting economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two nations.

The special investiture ceremony was held at Aiwan-i-Sadr (President House).

Welcoming the crown prince, the president said that Pakistan and the UAE enjoyed long-standing people-to-people and cultural ties spanning over three generations and emphasised the need to pass on this legacy to future generations to further cement the historic bond.

The president appreciated the remarkable development achieved by the UAE under its leadership. He expressed Pakistan’s appreciation for the UAE’s unwavering support for Pakistan and cooperation in various sectors.

He emphasised the importance of fostering closer economic and trade relations and invited UAE investors to explore new opportunities in Pakistan’s emerging sectors.

The crown prince reiterated the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its cooperation with Pakistan, adding that the MoUs signed during his visit reflected the trust and enduring relations between the two countries.

In a statement, the Foreign Office described the visit as a testament to both countries’ commitment to enhancing mutual cooperation, reflecting a growing partnership and robust people-to-people linkages.

With input from APP

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2025