• On first ‘official trip’ to Pakistan, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan holds ‘substantive talks’ with PM Shehbaz
• Expanding economic cooperation, investment, energy, infrastructure, information technology and people-to-people contacts on the agenda
• Ahsan Iqbal describes tour as ‘major diplomatic breakthrough’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates on Friday held “substantive talks”, reaffirming their pledge to further strengthen their longstanding fraternal relations, read a statement after the conclusion of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official visit to the country.
This was the second time the Emirati president visited Pakistan this year, having met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Rahim Yar Khan in January.
However, Friday’s trip was his first official visit as president, according to the Foreign Office.
During a meeting, PM Shehbaz and President Al Nahyan reaffirmed their “shared commitment to continue close coordination on matters of mutual interest and exchanged views on important regional and international developments”.
The statement added that while expressing satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, the “two leaders reiterated their determination to continue to work together closely to advance the shared objective of peace, stability, and sustainable development”.
“The visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will further consolidate the deep brotherly ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates and contribute to further strengthening of their strategic partnership,” it continued.
Trade and investment
PM Shehbaz and President Al Nahyan also discussed “expanding collaboration in economic cooperation, investment, energy, infrastructure development, information technology, and people-to-people exchanges”.
“They also agreed on the need to enhance bilateral trade, which had great potential for mutually beneficial growth,” the statement added.
Later, PM Shehbaz shared in a post on X that it was a pleasure to welcome his “dear brother” on an official visit that added to the warmth of the New Year.
“We held most cordial and constructive talks, during which we reflected on the many facets of our wide-ranging bilateral cooperation, as well as efforts for peace and prosperity,” he added.
“Pakistan is proud of its longstanding, deep rooted, fraternal ties with the UAE that are getting stronger under the patronage of my dear brother His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”
President Al Nahyan also shared a post on X, saying that he met PM Shehbaz in Islamabad to “discuss opportunities to strengthen the historical and longstanding ties between our nations and peoples”.
“As the UAE and Pakistan work to further advance cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, and development, we remain committed to achieving shared growth and prosperity for our countries,” he added.
Warm greetings
Earlier in the day, President Al Nahyan was “greeted with the greatest warmth and cordial welcome upon his arrival” in Islamabad.
The Emirati president was received by PM Shehbaz at the Nur Khan Airbase. Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir greeted the Emirati president as well. Also present to welcome the UAE president was Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
The Emirati president was accorded a “21-gun salute from a contingent of the armed forces” at an official reception, while “a formation of JF-17 fighter jets escorted the royal aircraft as it entered Pakistani airspace”.
According to the WAM news agency, the president was accompanied by his advisers Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, and other senior officials.
‘Diplomatic breakthrough’
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal said the UAE president’s first official visit to Pakistan would further strengthen the longstanding fraternal relations between the two countries.
Talking to a private news channel, he described the visit as a “major diplomatic breakthrough” and an important confidence-building measure, particularly in terms of investment, adding that its positive impacts would become evident in the coming days.
Pakistan and the UAE share close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties, strengthened by historical connections and a large Pakistani expatriate community in the Emirates.
The UAE is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a key source of remittances, with thousands of Pakistanis working in various sectors.
Both countries collaborate on defence, energy, and investment projects, with the UAE frequently providing financial aid and humanitarian assistance to Pakistan.
In April this year, Pakistan and the UAE signed and exchanged multiple memoranda of understanding (MoU) to further strengthen bonds between the people of both nations.
Two of the MoUs were for cooperation in the field of culture and the establishment of a joint committee for consular affairs, according to the report.
The third MoU was signed between the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry for the establishment of the UAE-Pakistan Joint Business Council.
Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2025
