UAE celebrates 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Pakistan
Zubair Qureshi
For the last fifty years since its unification and formal nationalization, the United Arab Emirates serves as a classical case study for nascent states that want to achieve success in a short period of time.
For its peaceful, prosperous and investment-friendly policies, the UAE is the tourists’ most sought-after destination and investors’ top choice.
On the occasion of the UAE’s national day (Dec 2, 2021), Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi hosted a reception that was attended by a large number of guests hailing from different walks of life, for instance politicians, parliamentarians, armed forces’ representatives, businessmen, diplomats, scholars, students and notable citizens.
They felicitated Ambassador on the historic occasion which also happened to be the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Pakistan.
The highlight of the event however, was Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s melodious rendition of the UAE’s national anthem into Urdu to coincide with the country’s golden jubilee event.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was the chief guest on the occasion while a message by Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan was also played on the occasion.
Shah Mahmood in his address said Pakistan highly valued its relations, particularly economic ties with the UAE that are strengthening with a trade volume of over US$8 billion, making the UAE, Pakistan’s biggest trade partner in the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Qureshi particularly mentioned the Dubai Expo 2020 that was the singular event showcasing the UAE as the centre of advancement and an oasis of peace. President Dr Arif Alvi had travelled to the UAE to inaugurate the Pakistan pavilion at the expo, he said.
Qureshi further said the UAE was also considered among the biggest foreign investors in Pakistan.
According to Shah Mahmood Qureshi Pakistan-UAE relations have improved during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government and the frequent highest level exchange also helped to widen the cooperation.
In his message, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said during his many visits to Pakistan he has observed that the successful relations between Pakistan and the UAE contributed greatly to the regional progress and stability.
“I am confident that the bonds of the UAE and Pakistan will continue to strengthen and we will move forward towards a peaceful and prosperous world.”
Sheikh Nahyan was confident that both the countries would continue to promote peace and cooperation around the globe. “We will continue to foster an optimistic outlook on the future of our world, a future that holds peaceful co-existence,” said the UAE dignitary.
The UAE Ambassador while talking to Pakistan Observer said it was a moment of double-rejoice as along with 50 years of the UAE’s success story, it also marked five decades of diplomatic relations with Pakistan.
“Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the late Founding Father of the UAE, put the foundation of this strong relationship with Pakistan,” Al-Zaabi said, adding that his mission would continue to build bridges between the two countries’ people to take forward this relationship.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood termed the formation of the UAE a remarkable experiment of visionary leadership of its founding father.
Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan congratulated the UAE on its national day, saying, “It’s a great day for Pakistan too as we are celebrating 50 years of the establishment of the UAE, which is a true friend of Pakistan.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s special representative on the Middle East, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, said Pakistan and the UAE were long-time and trusted companions.
“Whenever Pakistan faced any difficulty, the UAE stood by us and supported the economy of the country,” Ashrafi said.
On the occasion the UAE’s national anthem “Ishy Biladi” was also launched into Urdu. The anthem, titled ‘Watan,’ has been composed and sung by Pakistan’s celebrated artist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. This is the first time that the UAE’s national anthem has been translated and launched into a foreign language.
A traditional music and dance performance by the UAE citizens also attracted the audience on the occasion. At the end, guests were served with the UAE’s traditional and continental food.
