FIELD Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has affirmed that the security and stability of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an integral part of Pakistan’s own security, given the enduring historical relations and strong strategic partnership between the two countries.
He made the extreme gesture of solidarity with the brotherly country during his meeting Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser of the UAE in Abu Dhabi on Monday. The two sides discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors, particularly in the fields of economic collaboration, investment and security.
The visit of the CDF was surely in continuation of the high level exchanges between Pakistan and Gulf countries in the backdrop of regional and global developments that are set to reshape the geo-strategic scenario in many ways. Pakistan has long been pursuing the Look-Arab policy and this has assumed greater significance in the prevailing environment that necessitates forging of security and economic relations to the mutual advantage of the two sides. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has been instrumental in promoting this cherished objective and signing of mutual defence pact between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was manifestation of this reality. Pakistan has so far no such accord with the UAE but his remarks that Islamabad treats security of the UAE as an integral part of its own security highlight the strategic direction of bilateral relations between the two countries. There is marked reciprocity and a desire to boost ties and this was acknowledged by the CDF when he appreciated the government of the United Arab Emirates for its longstanding investments and continued support to Pakistan’s economy and security over the decades. It is also a fact that the UAE is a top investor in Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy and agriculture sectors and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is in the final stages of being signed to boost trade and investment. There are, however, some irritants vis-à-vis visa processing and the plight of a large number of Pakistani workers contributing to the socio-economic progress of the UAE and a source of foreign exchange for their own country, which need to be sorted out through intensive and result-oriented negotiations.
