M. Zahid Rifat
Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) share some of the warmest and most enduring ties in the Muslim world, marked by close political understanding, economic cooperation, and people-to-people connections. These bonds were on full display during the maiden official visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan in the last week of December 2025.
President Sheikh Mohammed was accorded an exceptionally warm reception upon his arrival in Islamabad. He was escorted by Pakistan Air Force JF-17 fighter jets, greeted with a 21-gun salute, and welcomed with the national anthems of both countries. In a rare symbolic gesture, Pakistan also released a special welcome song to mark the high-profile visit. The UAE president arrived with a high-level delegation, underscoring the importance Abu Dhabi attaches to its relationship with Islamabad. The visit followed President Sheikh Mohammed’s private trip to Pakistan in January 2024, during which he stayed at the Sheikh Zayed Palace in Rahim Yar Khan, traditionally used by members of the UAE’s ruling family.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who personally received the UAE president at the airport, held an informal bilateral interaction with the visiting dignitary ahead of delegation-level talks and a joint press conference. During their discussions, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening trade and strategic cooperation. They noted that bilateral trade has significant potential for expansion and agreed on the need to deepen collaboration in economic cooperation, investment, energy, infrastructure development, information technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments, expressing their shared resolve to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development. Both sides voiced satisfaction over the positive trajectory of Pakistan-UAE relations.
Pakistan and the UAE maintain close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties rooted in shared history and mutual trust. The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s key trading partners and a major source of remittances, with around 2.1 million Pakistanis working across various sectors in the Emirates. Cooperation between the two countries extends to defence, energy, and investment projects, while the UAE has frequently provided financial and humanitarian assistance to Pakistan during times of crisis.
At the conclusion of his official engagements in Islamabad, President Sheikh Mohammed travelled to Rahim Yar Khan, where he stayed at the Sheikh Zayed Palace. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later visited him there, continuing their dialogue initiated in Islamabad.
The interaction in Rahim Yar Khan marked the third meeting between the two leaders in 2025-following an earlier meeting in January and two meetings in quick succession during December. During these engagements, both leaders highlighted the historical, cultural, and diplomatic bonds between Pakistan and the UAE as key members of the Muslim Ummah and pledged to achieve a significant increase in bilateral trade in the shortest possible time.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the UAE’s remarkable development under the visionary leadership of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and thanked him for his continued support in strengthening bilateral ties. He also acknowledged the UAE’s role in hosting a large Pakistani expatriate community. In April 2025, Pakistan and the UAE signed multiple memorandums of understanding aimed at enhancing people-to-people and institutional ties, including the establishment of the UAE-Pakistan Joint Business Council.
The frequency of high-level exchanges between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi reflects the depth of the relationship and is expected to further strengthen cooperation in the months and years ahead, setting a positive example of partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.
The writer is a Lahore-based freelance journalist, columnist, and retired Deputy Controller (News), Radio Pakistan, Islamabad. He can be reached at zahidriffat@gmail.com.
