ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari will depart on Monday for a four-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates, as the Foreign Office confirmed in a formal statement. The visit will take place from January 26 to 29, and the president will travel with a high-level delegation.
Officials said the trip underscores Pakistan’s continued diplomatic engagement with key regional partners and signals renewed momentum in bilateral relations with the UAE.
High-Level Meetings to Focus on Trade and Economic Ties
During the visit, President Zardari will hold high-level meetings with the UAE leadership to review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation. The Foreign Office said both sides will place particular emphasis on trade, investment, and economic collaboration. Moreover, discussions will highlight the importance of strengthening people-to-people contacts, which remain a cornerstone of Pakistan-UAE relations due to the large Pakistani community living and working in the Gulf country.
The talks will also cover regional and international issues of mutual interest. Officials expect both countries to exchange views on evolving geopolitical developments and explore opportunities for closer coordination on key matters. Consequently, the visit is likely to contribute to greater diplomatic alignment and expanded cooperation across multiple sectors.
Recent Engagements Reflect Growing Diplomatic Momentum
The Foreign Office noted that President Zardari’s visit follows the recent trip of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan, which took place last month. It stated that these exchanges reflect the deep brotherly ties between the two nations and reaffirm their shared commitment to transforming a strong friendship into a mutually beneficial partnership.
During Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s first official visit to Pakistan on December 26, the leadership of both countries held substantive talks aimed at further strengthening longstanding relations. Shortly afterward, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the UAE president met again in Rahim Yar Khan on December 30, where they discussed ways to expand cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including economic development and investment.
Additionally, on January 13, Pakistan and the UAE agreed to sign a formal agreement on pre-immigration clearance for Pakistani nationals visiting the Gulf state, a move expected to ease travel and improve facilitation for citizens.
