Pakistan, UAE sign key MoUs to deepen bilateral cooperation
by By Sibt-e-arifThe development was announced following a high-level meeting in Islamabad between UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ishaq Dar.
According to the UAE's official news agency, WAM, the agreements include the establishment of a Joint Consular Affairs Committee and a commitment to bolster cultural cooperation between the two nations.
Moreover, an MoU was exchanged to establish a UAE-Pakistan Joint Business Council, which is expected to promote economic and trade partnerships.
The MoU for the business council was exchanged between UAE Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Atif Ikram Sheikh.
The meeting was attended by prominent officials, including UAE Minister of State Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainability Abdulla Balalaa, and UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi.
Sheikh Abdullah expressed his commitment to further enhancing UAE-Pakistan relations, emphasising the importance of joint efforts to support the developmental priorities of both countries.
"The UAE and Pakistan share a long-standing friendship, and we are dedicated to exploring opportunities for cooperation across various fields," he stated.
The UAE DPM said he was pleased with the hospitality extended during his visit to Pakistan — "a country which is close to our hearts in the UAE and also to my heart personally."
Expressing satisfaction with the current pace of bilateral relations, he said the leadership of both countries was keen to further strengthen the relationship
Earlier, welcoming the UAE Deputy Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DPM Dar said the two countries shared a decades-old fraternal relationship rooted in mutual commitment, love, and affection.
He added that both countries were working together for the benefit and welfare of their people.
Sheikh Abdullah's visit comes after Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Pakistan in February, during which the two countries signed five agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, including banking, railways, mining and infrastructural investment.
Pakistan and the UAE share a rich history of bilateral ties expanding to multiple fields and domains, with a large number of Pakistanis living and working in the Gulf country, which has also recently enabled Pakistani nationals to obtain five-year visas as well.
PM Shehbaz for elevating Pak-UAE ties
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan's strong desire to elevate the excellent political ties between Pakistan and the UAE to a mutually beneficial economic partnership during a visit by UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The UAE DPM, who was on an official visit to Islamabad, called on the premier at the Prime Minister's House, an official statement read.
During the meeting, the prime minister reaffirmed the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and the UAE, built on shared history, mutual respect, as well as strong cultural and economic linkages.
He conveyed his warm greetings to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the ruler of Abu Dhabi and appreciated the UAE's continued support for Pakistan in diverse sectors.
While expressing satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, PM Shehbaz emphasised the need to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people contacts.
In addition to bilateral ties, the regional situation and global developments also came under discussion during the meeting.
Sheikh Abdullah appreciated the contributions of the Pakistani community in the UAE and reiterated the UAE's resolve to deepen bilateral ties and explore new avenues of collaboration.
Pakistan, Rwanda strengthen ties
In addition to this, Pakistan and Rwanda vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across different sectors, including trade, defence, technology, and diplomacy, to build a mutually beneficial partnership and exploit the existing growth potential.
The bilateral ties were discussed during "in-depth" discussions between Dar and Rwanda's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ambassador Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, who was also on his first official visit to Pakistan from April 21-22.
Following their delegation-level meeting and signing of an MoU in the field of diplomatic training, the two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction over the strengthening of bilateral relations.
They also reiterated their commitment to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in priority areas like trade, investment, defence, diplomacy, and people-to-people exchanges.
In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Dar said that Pakistan’s exports in pharmaceuticals, textiles, rice, surgical instruments, agri-tech, and sports goods had strong potential in Rwanda.
Dar also said that Pakistan looked forward to the continued engagement of Rwandan businesses, including at the upcoming Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference and Single Country Exhibition in Addis Ababa in May 2025.
Meanwhile, Rwandan FM r Olivier JP Nduhungirehe said that his country's exports to Pakistan stood at $26 million and expressed keenness to explore joint projects. Pakistan’s exports to Rwanda in the fields of trade, industry, and health were around $100 million.
Emphasising bilateral cooperation in tourism and sports, particularly cricket as the game was highly popular on both sides, Nduhungirehe said that the two countries desired to work together in many sectors such as trade, investment, education, and defence.
He also lauded Pakistan’s contribution in finding a solution to conflicts on the African continent while currently being a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
With additional input from APP.