President Sheikh Mohamed visits Pakistan

Head of state was greeted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

President Sheikh Mohamed with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. All photos: Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed travelled with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan, adviser to the President, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Tahnoun, adviser for Special Affairs in the Presidential Court

Pakistani dignitaries who accompanied Mr Sharif

President Sheikh Mohamed travelled to Pakistan on Wednesday.

The head of state landed in the city of Rahim Yar Khan and was greeted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Chandana Airport.

State news agency Wam said the two leaders discussed long-standing relations between the two nations.

“During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif welcomed His Highness's visit to Pakistan, stressing that the visit represents a strong impetus towards developing the relations of the two countries and comes within the framework of their common interest in consolidating and developing them,” Wam said.

The two leaders were due to discuss topics including the economy, trade and development.

“The two sides also discussed a number of regional and international issues of common concern and exchanged views on them,” Wam said.

There are more than a million Pakistan nationals in the Emirates. Mr Sharif reflected on the close ties between the two nations and the “long-standing historical friendship with the UAE”.

Sheikh Mohamed travelled with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan, adviser to the President, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun, adviser for Special Affairs in the Presidential Court.

Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security, and Hamad Al Zaabi, UAE ambassador to Pakistan, were also present.

Mr Sharif was last in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago, when he met Sheikh Mohamed and thanked him for his support in overcoming the effects of last year's devastating floods.

UAE delivers aid in 2022 to flood victims in Pakistan — in pictures

Ties between the UAE and Pakistan are warm and historic, stretching back well before the UAE was established in December 1971. The UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was a frequent visitor to the country where he enjoyed falconry trips.

The co-operation has only continued to grow since then and now spans the economy, climate change, tourism and culture. Bilateral trade between Pakistan and the UAE now stands at about US$10 billion (Dh36.72 billion), Wam reported in January, and this is expected to increase.

The UAE has also consistently given humanitarian aid to Pakistan through the years. The UAE sent more than 70 flights with vital supplies after last year's floods. But more broadly, The UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme has overseen the development of scores projects in Pakistan, including schools, roads and hospitals.

The programme also spearheaded the UAE Polio Vaccination Campaign in Pakistan. From 2014 to 2022, it administered more than 647 million vaccination doses against polio, Wam reported.