PM Shehbaz is in the UAE to look for partnerships and investments, not loans.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is speaking at a meeting with members of the IT community in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking at the event, he emphasized that his visit to the United Arab Emirates is focused on collaboration and investment, not seeking loans.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister arrived in the UAE for a one-day visit, during which he plans to discuss trade and investment with the country’s president.
Upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi, he was greeted by UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to a government announcement.
Pakistani Ambassador to UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Emirati envoy to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim, and senior officials from both countries were also present to welcome the Prime Minister, as reported by the PML-N.
Shortly after arriving, the Prime Minister described the visit as “brief but significant.”
“Looking forward to a fruitful exchange of views with the UAE leadership to strengthen the historic and brotherly ties between Pakistan and the UAE,” he stated in a post on X.
This is Prime Minister Shehbaz’s first visit to the UAE since taking office after the February 8 general elections.
Accompanied by key cabinet members, including Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Prime Minister departed for the UAE earlier today. Their delegation also includes Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi.
During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as announced by the Foreign Office (FO) in a press release issued on Wednesday.
The discussions between the two leaders will focus on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment, according to the FO.
Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz is expected to hold meetings with other Emirati dignitaries, businesspersons, and heads of financial institutions.
The FO highlighted the deep-rooted fraternal relations and religious-cultural affinity between Pakistan and the UAE, emphasizing that such high-level exchanges are a hallmark of the close ties between the two countries.
This visit is seen as an important step toward further enhancing multifaceted collaboration between Pakistan and the UAE.
It follows recent high-level engagements between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, including two trips to the kingdom in April.
Prime Minister Shehbaz’s last visit to the UAE was in July 2023, during his previous term, to offer condolences on the death of the UAE President’s brother, Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
Before that, he visited the Gulf nation in January 2023 to strengthen economic, trade, and investment relations.
