Pakistan, UAE sign key agreements as Crown Prince visits Islamabad where he was accompanied by high level delegation.
Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed major agreements to enhance cooperation in mining, railways, banking, and infrastructure, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced. The agreements were signed as Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on his first official visit on Thursday.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, following China and the United States, and has been a key investor, with over $10 billion invested in the last 20 years, according to the UAE foreign ministry. The visit aligns with Pakistan’s economic diplomacy efforts, as the country seeks stronger trade ties with Gulf and Central Asian nations while navigating economic recovery with the support of a $7 billion IMF bailout loan.
Sheikh Al Nahyan was accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers, senior officials, and business leaders during his one-day visit. The crown prince, alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, witnessed the signing of agreements covering banking, mining, infrastructure development, and railways, further solidifying bilateral economic cooperation.
During discussions, Prime Minister Sharif informed the UAE crown prince about his recent talks on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Line in Tashkent. He highlighted that the project would benefit both Gwadar and Abu Dhabi ports, calling it a “game changer” for the region.
Sharif praised the UAE’s longstanding support for Pakistan and acknowledged its interest in expanding its investment portfolio. The visit reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Pakistan across multiple sectors.
Upon arrival in Islamabad, Sheikh Al Nahyan was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. Later, in an official ceremony, President Zardari conferred Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on the crown prince, in recognition of his contributions to bilateral relations. After witnessing the signing of agreements, Sheikh Al Nahyan departed, with Prime Minister Sharif seeing him off.
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