Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed five agreements on Thursday to enhance cooperation in multiple sectors, coinciding with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official visit to Pakistan.
Pakistan and the UAE have long maintained strong diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties, with the UAE serving as one of Pakistan’s top trading partners in the Middle East and a key source of remittances, thanks to the large Pakistani community living and working in the Emirates.
The signed agreements cover cooperation in fields such as banking, railways, mining, and infrastructure development. Both the crown prince and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the formal exchange of the pre-signed agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between officials from the two sides.
Senior government figures including federal cabinet members, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, and the UAE delegation were present at the ceremony.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Shehbaz described the discussions with the crown prince as highly productive, highlighting a shared resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties through expanded trade, investment, and energy partnerships. He added that the UAE’s royal family’s support continues to elevate Pakistan-UAE relations to new heights.
Upon the crown prince’s arrival at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, he was accorded a guard of honour by a contingent of the armed forces, as reported by Radio Pakistan. The national anthems of both nations were played, and a cultural performance representing Pakistan’s four provinces was also showcased.
Earlier in the day, the crown prince landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, where he was welcomed by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, along with senior cabinet members and diplomats. Children dressed in traditional attire presented him with flower bouquets, while flags of Pakistan and the UAE adorned the venue.
The crown prince’s high-level delegation includes senior ministers, officials, and leading business figures from the UAE. According to the Foreign Office, the visit aims to expand the already strong framework of collaboration, particularly focusing on investment and economic cooperation.
The agreements signed during this visit are expected to pave the way for new joint ventures and economic projects between the two nations. The Foreign Office further stressed that this visit reaffirms the historic and brotherly relations between Pakistan and the UAE, reflecting their mutual commitment to deepening economic partnerships.
The visit follows a recent high-level meeting between PM Shehbaz and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on February 11, where the two leaders met in Abu Dhabi to discuss climate finance and other matters during the World Governments Summit
