(Asghar Ali Mubarak)
ISLAMABAD (TNS) Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan left for home on Thursday evening after completing a one-day visit to Islamabad. Pakistan and the UAE have always enjoyed relations based on mutual respect, trust and shared aspirations. This visit by Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a reflection of the growing partnership and strengthening of people-to-people ties between the two countries, which shows the determination to further promote mutual cooperation. During the visit, agreements and documents of understanding were signed between Pakistan and the UAE in the fields of banking, mining, railways and investment in infrastructure.
On the occasion of the first official visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan, Pakistan and the UAE signed agreements to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields. Pakistan and the UAE enjoy close diplomatic, economic and cultural ties, with the UAE being one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and a major source of remittances, with a large number of Pakistanis residing and working there. The two countries signed MoUs and agreements to enhance cooperation in the fields of banking, mining, railways and infrastructure. On this occasion, UAE’s Syed Basar Shoaib and Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal exchanged drafts of agreements in the banking sector, while Ali Al Rashidi, Saeed Ahmed and Faheem Haider exchanged drafts of agreements in the mining sector. Similarly, Shadi Malik and Aamir Ali Baloch exchanged drafts of two MoUs in the railway sector, while Captain Jamal Shamsi and Nadeem Ahmed Chaudhry exchanged drafts of MoUs on cooperation in the field of infrastructure investment. The Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi also witnessed the exchange of MoUs and agreements between the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. On Thursday evening, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with his delegation, left Islamabad for the UAE. He was seen off at the airport by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and federal ministers.
Earlier, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan on Thursday on his first official visit along with a high-level delegation at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s ‘visit highlights the deep brotherly relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and reflects the shared commitment to further strengthen the bilateral economic partnership. According to the statement: ‘During this visit, Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed will discuss issues of mutual interest with the leadership of Pakistan, strengthen historical ties and promote economic and investment cooperation.’ Officials from both countries exchanged documents signed on cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding in various fields.
The ceremony was attended by Army Chief General Asim Munir, members of the federal cabinet and other important figures, while members of the delegation accompanying the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi were also present. The statement added that ‘Pakistan and the UAE have always enjoyed relations based on mutual respect, trust and shared aspirations. This visit by Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a reflection of the growing partnership and strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries, which shows the determination to further promote mutual cooperation. During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the UAE in May last year, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had assured Pakistan of $10 billion in investment in various sectors. Later, in Abu Dhabi, while addressing a roundtable session on partnership between Pakistani and UAE IT companies, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he did not want a loan from the UAE but joint investment and cooperation that would be for mutual benefit. Shehbaz Sharif had said that ‘We are trying to change the shape of our economy and we are determined that with the cooperation of our brothers in the UAE, we will completely change the shape of Pakistan’s economy. We will do this on the basis of joint ventures and knowledge sharing partnerships.’ According to the Prime Minister: ‘Our program includes high-level vocational training and equipping with modern skills so that our young generation can come to the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, meet the legal requirements and establish their offices and young people from Pakistan can perform services, which will create employment opportunities and support small and medium-sized businesses.’A ceremony was held at the Prime Minister’s House to sign memorandums of understanding and agreements between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, in which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were also present. Pakistan and the UAE exchanged documents on bilateral cooperation in the banking sector, while the two countries also signed an agreement on cooperation in the mining sector.
In addition, two memorandums of understanding were exchanged between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates in the railway sector and an investment document was exchanged in the infrastructure sector. Earlier, when Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan on a historic visit, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Member of National Assembly Asifa Bhutto Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and other high-ranking government figures welcomed the distinguished guest. The delegation of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was accompanied by ministers, business figures and senior officials. The Emirati delegation was warmly welcomed by the President, Prime Minister and government ministers, while children presented bouquets. In view of the rain in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif himself walked holding an umbrella to protect the distinguished guest from the rain. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was presented with a guard of honor upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House. The Crown Prince inspected the guard of honor along with Shahbaz Sharif. The national anthems of both countries were also played on the occasion. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif introduced the members of his cabinet to Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi introduced the members of his delegation to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif was called on by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. On this occasion, the Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to further strengthening the brotherly relations between Pakistan and the UAE. In recognition of the services of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to Pakistan, he was awarded the Nishan Pakistan. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan played a role in promoting cooperation with Pakistan in the fields of trade, economy, and investment.Recall that on May 23, 2024, the Prime Minister’s House had said in a statement that the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had assured Pakistan of an investment of $10 billion in several sectors. Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, had met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, in which all aspects of bilateral relations, including cooperation in the political, economic, social, cultural and defense sectors, were discussed. A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House said that the Prime Minister had stressed the importance of strengthening existing cooperation and strengthening the strategic partnership, including in the fields of information technology, renewable energy and tourism.
The Prime Minister highlighted the steps taken by the government aimed at ensuring socio-economic stability in the country and boosting investor confidence. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to ensure meaningful implementation of investment cooperation agreements in the fields of energy, port operation projects, wastewater treatment, food security, logistics, minerals, and banking and financial services. The two leaders discussed regional and global developments as well as other matters of mutual interest. The Prime Minister extended an invitation to the UAE President for an official visit to Pakistan, which he accepted. President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pledged to invest $10 billion and assured Pakistan of his support at all times. Shahbaz Sharif, while addressing a roundtable session on partnership between Pakistan and UAE IT companies, said that he did not want loans from the UAE but joint investment and cooperation that would be for mutual benefit. He told the participants that the current government is striving to strengthen its economy by focusing on information technology, agriculture, minerals, youth empowerment, exports, industry and other sectors. The Prime Minister further said in his address that the United Arab Emirates is setting milestones of development under the leadership of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. “The UAE is currently playing a leading role in information technology and artificial intelligence, while at the same time developing IT infrastructure on modern lines.” He further said that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s vision is that the UAE should play a prominent role in not only the import and export of raw materials, but also in converting raw materials into value-added products and its exports. We pay tribute to him for this. Shahbaz Sharif had said that we are trying to change the shape of our economy and we are determined that with the cooperation of our brothers in the UAE, we will completely change the shape of Pakistan’s economy. We will do this on the basis of joint ventures and knowledge sharing partnerships. We have broken the shackles because nations do not progress through loans or aid, but through hard work and dedication day and night. With this spirit, we have to achieve the goal of self-reliance.” He had said that the President of the UAE, like his father, has always supported Pakistan in difficult times. They have always helped Pakistan like a family. We do not want loans from our brotherly country, but rather joint investment and cooperation from them, which is for mutual benefit. The Prime Minister had said that our program includes high-level vocational training and equipping with modern skills so that our young generation can come to the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, fulfill the legal requirements, establish their offices and provide services to the youth from Pakistan, which will create employment opportunities and support SMEs.
