Statement of Hamad Alzaabi UAE Ambassador in Islamabad on the occasion of Pakistan Independence Day
Staff Reporter
The founder of UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was keen to give an impetus to the bilateral relations between the two countries from the very beginning, It was further strengthened and patronized by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and H.H Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan enjoy excellent relations on political, economic and social levels, founded on deep-rooted cultural affinities, shared faith and traditions, these relations date back to the UAE’s formation in 1971, and have since evolved into wide-ranging co-operation in various fields, and this keenness of the leadership of UAE and Pakistan played an active role in strengthening and consolidating ties and deepening cooperation between the two countries, as there are numerous exchange visits at the leadership level over the decades.
Recently, the visit of H.H Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed forces to Pakistan and visit of H.E Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan to UAE gave fresh push to existing cordial ties between the two brotherly countries, and the deposit of UAE 3 billion dollars in the Central Bank of Pakistan to support fiscal and monetary policy of Pakistan reflects strong and deep rooted relations between the two countries.
Nearly 1.6 million Pakistanis are employed in UAE and contributing to the progress and prosperity of the both countries
UAE emphasizes on importance of Pakistan’s stability and supports Pakistan in facing the terrorism challenges and appreciates the efforts of Pakistan in the fight against this menace.
Pak-UAE Trade:
The UAE is Pakistan’s second biggest trading partner and the total trade volume between the two countries has reached around $8.19 billion.
There are also dozens of UAE’s companies working in Pakistan in the fields of aviation, oil, ports and shipping, banking, telecommunications, insurance, real estate, food and technology, and we are working to more strengthening these relationships.
The two countries are ready to hold 12th meeting of the PAK-UAE joint ministerial committee in Abu Dhabi very soon to explore opportunities in different fields, and the two countries are expected to sign several agreements in various fields.
UAE humanitarian assistance:
UAE PAP was launched on 12 January 2011 upon the directions of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (May God protect him), with the intent to help Pakistan overcome the consequences of the destructive torrential rains by rehabilitating the infrastructure.
The project follows a comprehensive plan of rehabilitation that takes into account the rugged geographical topography and harsh weather conditions.
The plan has four main pivots to rehabilitate the area and secure community development: roads and bridges, education, health and safe drinking water supply schemes, Last year, the UAE and Pakistan signed a US$200 million cooperation agreement to execute third phase of UAE Pakistan Assistance Program (UAE-PAP).
Initiative of UAE Embassy:
Since H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, took the charge as UAE’s Ambassador to Pakistan, He is working on plan to further deepen the cordial ties, especially economic relations, and he met with political leadership of Pakistan, as well as held series of meetings with Senior Businessmen, and visited deferent chambers of commerce and industry of Pakistan with aim to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between two countries.
H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, played a proactive and vital role in enhancing and expanding the ever existing bilateral relations on political, economic, social and cultural fields.
His Excellency arranged the visit of H.E Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to UAE, the visit of H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan , the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces to Pakistan, which resulted the decision of UAE to deposited 3 billion dollar to support monetary policy of Pakistan, and also arranged the visit of high level trade delegation from UAE to Pakistan.
Furthermore, the scope of UAE Project to Assist Pakistan (UAEPAP), extended to Province of Baluchistan, as the UAE and Pakistan inked 200 million dollar agreement to strength health, education, water supply and basic infrastructure in Baluchistan.
The Embassy extended also humanitarian projects to different areas of Pakistan including Sindh, Baluchistan, tribal areas and Gilgit Baltistan.
The Embassy of UAE is strengthening the interaction between the Universities and libraries of two brotherly countries.
