ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday appreciated AD Ports Group’s long-term investment and growing role in Pakistan’s maritime and logistics sector, describing it as a key pillar of Pakistan-UAE economic cooperation.

He highlighted the group’s ongoing investments at Karachi Port as instrumental in enhancing port capacity, efficiency, and regional competitiveness.

The Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the president in Abu Dhabi, the press wing of the President’s secretariat said in a press release.

The meeting was attended by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE.

Both sides agreed that expansion and modernisation of port infrastructure would strengthen trade flows and support Pakistan’s broader economic development and the country’s seaborne trade.

The president welcomed the establishment of AD Ports Group’s Rep­resentative Office in Islamabad and appreciated the group’s collaboration on digital and customs facilitation initiatives aimed at improving trade efficiency.

Commitment to tolerance

Meanwhile, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting underscored the importance of promoting dialogue, inclusivity, and peaceful coexistence.

President Zardari paid tribute to the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and lauded the UAE’s national vision of tolerance and human fraternity, noting that it has positioned the country as a leading global example of harmony among diverse communities.

The president appreciated the UAE’s success in fostering unity and mutual respect among over 200 nationalities as a compelling model of social cohesion.

He also noted that these values strongly resonated with Pakistan’s own commitment to interfaith harmony, social inclusion and respect for cultural and religious diversity, as enshrined in its Constitution and societal traditions.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2026