Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's visit: Pakistan, UAE vow to further strengthen bilateral ties

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday expressed resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties through enhanced trade, investment, and energy cooperation.

This was discussed during a meeting of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

This was the first official visit of Sheikh Khalid to Pakistan, in his capacity as Crown Prince.

PM Shehbaz warmly welcomed the Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince while reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to further strengthen its historic and fraternal bonds between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. One on one meeting was followed by the delegation level talks.

Recalling his most productive meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, the PM Shehbaz said that it was a matter of huge satisfaction that the two countries were now working more closely than ever before, to transform their excellent political ties into a mutually beneficial economic partnership.

The prime minister told that during his recent visit to Uzbekistan the project of Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Line was discussed and Uzbekistan showed keen interest in the project. He further said that the project will benefit the ports of Gwadar and Abu Dhabi and would prove to be a game changer for the whole region.

PM Shehbaz lauded the UAE’s consistent and strong support for Pakistan in various fields, including at difficult times.

He deeply appreciated the keen interest shown by the U.A.E. in expanding its investment portfolio in Pakistan and remarked that the recent successful investment initiatives between various Pakistani entities and Abu Dhabi Ports were a shining example of this robust and ever-expanding cooperation.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, who was accompanied by a delegation comprising senior officials and business leaders, thanked the Prime Minister and reaffirmed the UAE’s steadfast support for Pakistan’s economic development and prosperity.

On this occasion, both leaders also witnessed the exchange of several MoUs and agreements between the two sides.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the award of Nishan-i-Pakistan upon Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The President gave the award at a special investiture ceremony in Islamabad.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, parliamentarians as well as senior civil and military officials wee also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Pakistan and the UAE on Thursday signed five accords to boost bilateral cooperation in different fields including banking, railways, mining and infrastructural investment.

The documents were signed during the first official visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The crown prince and the prime minister witnessed the ceremony as the officials from both sides exchanged the pre-signed documents of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in various fields.

Federal cabinet members and Chief of the Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and members of the UAE delegation were also present on the occasion.

Both countries signed an agreement to promote bilateral cooperation in the field of banking. Secretary Finance Imdadullah Bosal and CEO & MD of IHC Syed Basar Shueb exchanged the documents.

The two sides also signed another agreement to boost cooperation in the field of mining.

The CEO of Pakistan Railways Amir Ali Baloch and CEO Etihad Rail Shadi Malik exchanged the documents for two MOUs for cooperation in the field of railways.

Similarly, Secretary Board of Investment Nadeem Chaudhary and CEO AD Ports Capt. Muhammad Juma Al Shamisi exchanged the documents for an MoU in the field of infrastructural investment.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday was given a guard of honour as he arrived at the PM House to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
On his arrival at the venue of the formal welcome reception, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the crown prince.

The national anthems of Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were played as the guest stood at the salute dias along with Prime Minister Shehbaz.

The smartly-turned out contingents of the armed forces presented a guard of honour which the crown prince reviewed.

The Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Shehbaz introduced their respective delegations to each other before heading for the meeting.

Earlier, as the crown prince arrived in Islamabad on his first official visit to Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with cabinet members and senior diplomatic and government officials received him at Nur Khan Airbase.

The Abu Dhabi crown prince was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers and senior officials, as well as prominent business leaders.