ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed five agreements on Thursday to enhance bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including banking, railways, mining, and infrastructure investment.
The agreements were signed during the first official visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Key Agreements Signed
- Banking Cooperation – Signed by Pakistan’s Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal and International Holdings Company CEO Syed Basar Shueb.
- Mining Sector Collaboration – Agreement to strengthen cooperation in Pakistan’s mining industry.
- Railways Development – Two MoUs exchanged between Pakistan Railways CEO Amir Ali Baloch and Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malik.
- Infrastructure Investment – Board of Investment Secretary Nadeem Chaudhary and Abu Dhabi Ports CEO Capt Muhammad Juma Al Shamisi signed the MoU.
High-Level Meetings & Talks
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled held a one-on-one meeting, followed by delegation-level discussions.
- Shehbaz highlighted the importance of Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Line, noting its potential to benefit Gwadar and Abu Dhabi Ports.
- He appreciated the UAE’s continuous support and expressed optimism about the expanding UAE investment in Pakistan.
- Sheikh Khaled reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to Pakistan’s economic development and prosperity.
Meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari
- The Crown Prince also met President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr, alongside Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar.
- Discussions focused on business, infrastructure development, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties.
- President Zardari invited UAE investors to explore new opportunities in Pakistan’s emerging sectors.
Nishan-i-Pakistan Conferred on Sheikh Khaled
- In recognition of his efforts to strengthen Pakistan-UAE relations, President Asif Ali Zardari awarded the Nishan-i-Pakistan—Pakistan’s highest civil honor—to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed.
- His leadership has facilitated significant UAE investments in Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and technology sectors.
This visit marks a new chapter in Pakistan-UAE relations, reinforcing economic ties and long-term cooperation between the two nations.
