Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising key ministers of his cabinet embarked on a one-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday. It is first visit of PM Shehbaz to the UAE since his taking office as prime minister after February 8 general elections. His cabinet members including Khawaja Asif, Jam Kamal, Attaullah Tarar, and Ishaq Dar accompanied him during the visit. PM Shehbaz is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Additionally, he will engage in discussions with leaders of the Emirati business community and financial institutions, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations, trade and investment. “The two leaders will discuss bilateral relations between Pakistan and the UAE with special focus on trade and investment. Prime Minister Sharif is also likely to hold meetings with other Emirati dignitaries, businesspersons, and heads of financial institutions,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press statement issued in Islamabad.

Pakistan and the UAE have long-standing fraternal relations deep rooted in religio-cultural affinity. Frequent high-level exchanges form a distinguishing feature of brotherly ties between the two countries. “The Prime Minister’s visit marks an important step towards further deepening multifaceted bilateral collaboration between Pakistan and the UAE,” it was further added. Yesterday, PM met Turkish Vice President Cevdet Y?lmaz and Froeign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at a commemoration ceremony organised in honour of late Iranian President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi and his companions in Iran. During their meetings, the states leaderships discussed the bilateral and other issues of mutual interests. PM Shehbaz Turkish leadership agreed in the meeting to further enhance the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Turkiye in diverse fields. The PM also held a meeting with the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Imam Khamenei and offered condolences on the tragic demise of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian and others in a helicopter crash.

In the meeting, recalling President Raisi’s visit to Pakistan in April 2024, he highlighted the significant role of the late Iranian President in further strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing the vision of the late Iranian President towards enhancing bilateral trade and bolstering relations between the two friendly and brotherly countries. PM Shehbaz also extended an invitation to the Supreme Leader of Iran to visit Pakistan. Eariler, PM Shehbaz attended the memorial ceremony of late President of Iran Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and their companions, who embraced martyrdom in a tragic helicopter crash in the eastern province on May 19. During the ceremony, the PM arrived at the hall where the body of the late president was placed. The PM prayed for the high ranks of the departed soul and paid tribute to President Raisi’s contributions towards progress and prosperity of the Iranian nation, promotion of Pak-Iran bilateral ties and efforts for the region.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan