Abu Dhabi: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday for a one-day official visit aimed at strengthening Pakistan-UAE relations and expanding cooperation across economic and strategic sectors.
The prime minister was welcomed at Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Airport by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser.
The high-level delegation accompanying the premier includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.
During the visit, PM Shehbaz is scheduled to hold meetings with top UAE leadership, including a key bilateral session with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The discussions are expected to cover a broad range of regional, global, and bilateral matters.
According to the Foreign Office, “The visit reflects the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and the UAE, which are marked by mutual trust, shared values, and close cooperation across multiple sectors.”
Officials say the visit will help deepen economic ties, boost strategic collaboration, and explore new avenues for cooperation. It also marks a continuation of engagement between the two countries, following the UAE President’s visit to Pakistan earlier this year and PM Shehbaz’s participation in the World Governments Summit 2025 held in Dubai.
During earlier talks, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as trade, mining, agriculture, and regional stability.
The UAE is home to over a million Pakistani expatriates, making it one of the largest overseas communities contributing to Pakistan’s economy through remittances and investments. Recently, the prime minister noted a significant increase in remittance inflows.
“$3.7 billion was received in remittances during May 2025, which is 13.7 per cent more than May last year. The increase in remittances is evidence of the growing confidence of overseas Pakistanis in the economic policies of the government,” said PM Shehbaz.
Additionally, bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UAE exceeded $10.9 billion in the 2023–2024 fiscal year, further highlighting the strength of the relationship.
With longstanding ties rooted in economic cooperation and people-to-people connections, the current visit is expected to reinforce shared goals and commitments between both nations for regional peace and prosperity.