PM Shehbaz jets off to UAE today

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday at the invitation of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

During his visit, he will participate in the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday, this will be the prime minister’s second visit to the UAE since taking office in March 2024.

“He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and other key members of the Cabinet,” the FO statement read.

The statement further shared that “during his visit, the prime minister will deliver a keynote address at the WGS, highlighting Pakistan’s vision for inclusive economic growth, digital transformation and governance reforms”.

The summit is expected to gather a large number of global leaders, policymakers, and private sector executives to discuss governance, innovation and international collaboration, the FO noted.

As part of his itinerary, PM Shehbaz will also engage in bilateral discussions with the UAE leadership and meet heads of state and government from various participating nations, along with top executives of multinational corporations, according to the FO.

“Pakistan and the UAE share a deep-rooted brotherly relationship built on mutual trust—understanding and a longstanding mutually beneficial cooperation—the UAE remains one of Pakistan’s key economic and strategic partners, with strong collaboration across multiple sectors,” the press release stated.

“Pakistani diaspora in the UAE, which is the second-largest Pakistani expatriate community worldwide, continues to play a pivotal role in the development and success of both countries, serving as a bridge between the two nations.”

“The prime minister’s visit underscores Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to further strengthening its ties with the UAE, fostering greater economic collaboration and exploring new avenues of partnership for mutual prosperity,” the statement concluded.

Last month, the UAE expressed a strong interest in collaborating with Pakistan in the minerals and agriculture sectors during a meeting between PM Shehbaz and UAE President Sheikh Al Nahyan in Rahim Yar Khan on January 5.

Additionally, in the same month, PM Shehbaz announced that the UAE had agreed to roll over a $2 billion loan that was due in January, providing much-needed financial relief to Pakistan.