UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on a week-long private visit. He was received by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with a number of ministers and senior officials, at the Rahim Yar Khan airport.
Welcoming the UAE President, PM Sharif said the visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed represents a strong drive towards developing the relations between UAE and Pakistan.
Meeting agenda
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the historical brotherly ties between UAE and Pakistan and the opportunities to enhance joint cooperation, especially in the fields of economy, trade and development, in a way that benefits the two friendly countries and their people across these domains.
The two sides also discussed ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two sides, which are in line with the sustainability objectives of the two countries. Several issues of common interest were also discussed during the meeting. PM Sharif and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Islamabad proud of Pak-UAE relations
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that his country takes pride in the historical UAE-Pakistan relations. He also expressed his gratitude to the Gulf country for its continuous support to Pakistan in various circumstances and conditions, especially in the development fields.
UAE’s financial support
The UAE, earlier this month, agreed to lend $1 billion to Pakistan and roll over an existing $2 billion loan, according to the information minister Maryam Aurangzeb. The financial support came when the foreign reserves at the central bank of Pakistan had fallen to just three weeks’ worth of imports.
The UAE president has also announced a “huge investment” in Pakistan, GEO News reported citing sources.
“Be prepared, the UAE will make a huge investment in Pakistan,” the sources quoted the UAE president as saying during a cordial meeting with the premier at the airport, reported Geo News.
Meeting attendees
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; and Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan.
On the Pakistani side, PM Sharif was accompanied by Minister for Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan Marriyum Aurangzeb; Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs to the PM Tariq Fatemi; Interim Chief Minister of Punjab Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi; and a number of other officials.