RAHIM YAR KHAN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to discuss enhancing cooperation in defence and various other sectors, as well as regional matters.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting took place at Sheikh Zayed Palace in Rahim Yar Khan and was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and other senior officials.
The statement described the meeting as cordial and friendly, with both leaders following up on discussions from their previous meeting in Islamabad on December 26, 2025. This meeting was part of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s first official visit to Pakistan as UAE President.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the longstanding, brotherly relations between Pakistan and the UAE into a strong, strategic, and mutually beneficial economic partnership, emphasizing the need for significant growth in bilateral trade.
The leaders also held detailed discussions on promoting cooperation in information technology (IT), energy, mining and minerals, and defence collaboration, among other sectors.
The Prime Minister appreciated the UAE’s remarkable progress under Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s dynamic and visionary leadership and thanked him for his personal interest and guidance in strengthening bilateral relations.
He also expressed gratitude for the UAE’s hospitality toward the 2.1 million Pakistanis residing there, recognizing their role in fostering strong ties between the two nations.
In addition to bilateral cooperation, regional and global issues were discussed, reflecting the strong and enduring partnership between the two brotherly countries.
