Islamabad/Abu Dhabia few moments ago
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Shahbaz and Asim Munir came to the airport to receive UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. He welcomed the President with a hug.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived on an official visit to Pakistan on Friday. PM Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces Asim Munir reached the airport to receive the UAE President.
This is his second visit to Pakistan this year. Earlier in January 2025, he had met Shahbaz during a personal visit to Rahim Yar Khan. However, this is his first official visit to Pakistan as President.
According to a statement from the Foreign Office, President Al Nahyan will review aspects of bilateral relations with Prime Minister Shahbaz. Will talk on regional and international issues.
The Foreign Ministry said that this visit is a good opportunity to further strengthen the long-standing brotherhood between the two countries. Also, agreements can be made in major areas like trade, investment, energy, development and regional security.
Ahead of the visit, billboards of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have been put up in Islamabad.
19 lakh Pakistani expatriates live in UAE
On Wednesday, Islamabad District Administration declared a holiday in the entire capital on the day of the Yatra i.e. today.
Pakistan and UAE enjoy deep diplomatic, economic and cultural relations. Which has become stronger due to the large Pakistani expatriate population living in UAE.
UAE is a major trading partner of Pakistan and also a major source of remittances. The number of Pakistani expatriates in UAE is approximately between 1.7 to 1.9 million (i.e. 17 to 19 lakh).
These Pakistanis mainly work in construction, trade, service sector, banking, IT and other professions. They are the second largest expatriate community in the UAE after Indians and contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
Every year thousands of new Pakistanis come to UAE in search of work, due to which this number keeps increasing.
Shehbaz and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had met in Rahim Yar Khan in January this year.
Three agreements were signed between UAE and Pakistan in April
Both countries cooperate in defence, energy and investment projects. The UAE often provides financial assistance and humanitarian aid to Pakistan.
This In April this year, the two countries had signed three MoUs related to culture, consular matters and setting up a trade council.
UAE President can invest billions of dollars in Pakistan
According to experts, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s foreign policy focuses on security and he emphasizes on the strength of institutions.
They will closely assess how clear and strong the decision-making process is in Pakistan, how much stability there is within the country and how much capacity it has to deal with regional threats.
If they see good system, discipline and stability in Pakistan, then they can invest billions of dollars in energy, ports, logistics (freight), minerals and defense related sectors.
Pakistan and UAE had signed three MoUs in April. During this, Shahbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar were also present.
Is a Saudi Arabia-like defense agreement possible with UAE?
There is currently no news of a strong mutual defense pact like Saudi Arabia between UAE and Pakistan (in which an attack on one country is considered an attack on the other).
Saudi Arabia had signed a “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement” with Pakistan in September 2025, which is binding for both the countries and was a big step.
According to media reports, due to the regional situation (such as Israel-Iran tension), Gulf countries are diversifying their security. UAE can also do something like this in future.
UAE-Pakistan’s current defense relations
Defense cooperation between the UAE and Pakistan is long-standing and strong, but based primarily on training, joint exercises and military cooperation, and not on a full mutual defense treaty:
- Both countries regularly conduct joint military drills, such as the counter-terrorism exercise in November 2025.
- In September 2025, Pakistan awarded the UAE Naval Chief the high military honor “Nishan-e-Imtiaz”.
- Pakistani forces have previously provided training to the UAE, and cooperation between the two countries continues at the Navy, Air Force and Army levels.
Defense agreement between Saudi-PAK
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a defense agreement in September. Under this agreement, an attack on one country will also be considered an attack on another.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif hug each other after signing the defense deal.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, both countries said in a joint statement that this agreement shows the commitment of both countries to enhance security and establish peace in the world. Under this agreement, a defense corporation will also be developed between the two countries.
According to Reuters, military cooperation will be done under this agreement. This also includes the use of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons if needed.
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