Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on Thursday to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including banking, mining, railways, and infrastructure.
The agreements were formalized during the maiden visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan. He arrived in the country at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and was accorded a guard of honor at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the UAE dignitary upon his arrival in the federal capital. In recognition of his contributions to strengthening Pak-UAE relations, President Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award, on the crown prince during a special investiture ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The event was attended by senior government officials, parliamentarians, and diplomats.
Sheikh Khaled was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and prominent business figures. According to a statement from the Foreign Office, the visit underscores the deep-rooted ties between the two nations and reflects their shared commitment to further strengthening economic cooperation.
During his stay, the Abu Dhabi crown prince is scheduled to hold discussions with Pakistani leadership on matters of mutual interest, focusing on economic collaboration and investment opportunities. Several agreements and MoUs are expected to pave the way for long-term partnerships and joint ventures across multiple sectors.
The visit reaffirms the strong historical ties between Pakistan and the UAE, built on mutual trust and shared aspirations. According to the Foreign Office, this engagement marks another step toward expanding bilateral cooperation and fostering deeper people-to-people connections.
Last month, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also visited Pakistan and was warmly received in Rahim Yar Khan by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and other officials.
