United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived at the Noor Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi on Friday on his first official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He returned after completing a short one-day visit. He was warmly welcomed by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, as well as federal ministers. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and Field Marshal Chief of Defence Forces Syed Asim Munir, during which it was agreed to increase bilateral trade and cooperation in other sectors. Upon his arrival in Pakistan, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was accorded a grand welcome by Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He was presented with a 21-gureception,n salute and a guard of honor at the Noor Khan Air Base, while JF-17 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force gave an aerial salute.
The national anthems of both countries were played at the reception and the delegations were introduced. Later, the UAE President held meetings with the Prime Minister and the Army Chief.
In a detailed meeting between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, discussions were held on further strengthening the long-standing brotherly relations between the two countries. The two leaders reviewed the progress in the areas of ongoing cooperation and considered the possibilities of further deepening ties in these areas. They stressed the importance of promoting people-to-people contacts in addition to economic cooperation, investment, energy, infrastructure development, information and other technologies. The meeting agreed to increase bilateral trade, which has vast potential for mutual benefit for both countries. Regional and global issues were discussed in the meeting, and the commitment to continue close coordination and cooperation on matters of mutual interest was also reiterated.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive direction of bilateral relations and renewed their commitment to work together to achieve the common goals of peace, stability and sustainable development.
According to Pakistani officials, Sheikh Mohammed’s visit will further strengthen the deep brotherly relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates and give a new dimension to the strategic partnership. This wpresident. as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official“X,” visit to Pakistan as Emirati President. In his post on the social networking website “X”, the Pakistani Prime Minister wrote that it was a pleasure for him to welcome his dear brother Sheikh Mohammed on an official visit to Pakistan, which added to the joy and warmth of the new year. He added that he and the Emirati president had a very pleasant and constructive conversation.
Various areas of bilateral cooperation, as well as efforts for peace and prosperity, were discussed. Pakistan is proud of its long-standing, strong and brotherly relations with the UAE, which are further strengthened under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to media reports, upon the arrival of the Emirati president in Rawalpindi, the Punjab Council of the Arts (PCA) Rawalpindi organized a grand event to showcase Pakistan’s rich and diverse heritage, in which a team of 120 male and female artists presented traditional performances from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Balochistan and Sindh. Their aim was to reflect the country’s deep cultural traditions while showing unity in the unity of Pakistan.
The United Arab Emirates is not only a brotherly Islamic country of Pakistan but also its third-largest trading partner.
The relations between the two countries have historically been brotherly, strong and based on mutual respect. Although there was some distance in the bilateral relations a few years ago, due to wise diplomacy and high-level contacts, the relations soon got back on the path of improvement. At the end of the last financial year, 2024-25, the volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UAE had exceeded $10 billion, which is clear evidence of the growing trust and economic cooperation between the two countries. After Saudi Arabia, the UAE is the country from which Pakistan receives the highest remittances, which are growing at a rate of about nine percent annually and are the backbone of the country's economy. Millions of Pakistanis live in the UAE, not only contributing to the development there but also maintaining a strong bond with their homeland, which is why Pakistanis consider the UAE as their second home.
Last year, the President of the UAE, during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, announced an investment of $10 billion in Pakistan, which is being described as an important milestone in economic cooperation between the two countries.
This visit of the Emirati president to Pakistan was also of exceptional importance in that during this time, detailed consultations were held regarding the proposed investment and a comprehensive briefing was given by Pakistan on attractive and suitable sectors such as energy, infrastructure, IT, agriculture and ports. Experts on Pak-Arab relations are calling this visit of exceptional importance because it included serious and comprehensive discussions on giving a new dimension to mutual cooperation in every sector, from defense cooperation to investment, trade and people-to-people contacts. This visit can be a means of promoting trust between the two countries and laying a strong foundation for long-term partnership. It is hoped that the fruits of these efforts will soon emerge and that relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates will not only become stronger but will also rise to new heights and become an example of mutual cooperation and prosperity in the region.
In an era marked by regional uncertainty and global economic shifts, Pakistan’s relationship with the United Arab Emirates stands out as a model of continuity, trust, and shared progress. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit was not only a reaffirmation of brotherly ties but also a forward-looking engagement aimed at shaping a more integrated economic and strategic future. If the commitments discussed during this visit are translated into timely action, this engagement could mark the beginning of a new chapter—one defined by deeper cooperation, sustainable development, and enduring partnership between the two nations.
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