DUBAI, Jan 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday visited UAE to express Pakistan’s deepest condolence over the death of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al- Maktoum,. Body of the vice president and prime minister of UAE, who passed away in Australia on Wednesday, was flown to home where he was laid to rest on Thursday at Umm Hurair graveyard in Dubai. The funeral prayers were offered at Zeebal Mosque.

Prime Minister Aziz met UAE’s President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and new ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Sheikh Mohammad’s palace in Zabeel and offered on behalf of President General Pervez Musharraf and people of Pakistan deep sympathies and condolence.

The UAE president thanked Prime Minister Aziz and said that his visit was a source of strength for his country and the people.

Mr Aziz also met other members of the royal family and said that Pakistan had lost a great friend and the Muslim Ummah a great leader.

He met Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Hamdan bin Zaid, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Deputy ruler of Duabi and Foreign Minister of UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid.—APP