Gulf News

UAE military team at Pakistan parade today

Ambassador thanks the UAE for showing special gesture of its commitment to longstandi­ng ties

- BY ASHFAQ AHMED UAE Deputy Editor

The UAE Embassy also arranged a special exhibition as part of the Year of Zayed, showcasing the rare photos of Shaikh Zayed

For the first time a UAE military contingent is participat­ing in the Pakistan National Day parade being held in Islamabad today.

Pakistan Ambassador Moazzam Ahmad Khan thanked the UAE government for sending a big contingent of its armed forces to participat­e in the Pakistan National Day parade.

“We feel honoured to have these special guests on our soil and are grateful to the UAE for showing the special gesture of its commitment to the longstandi­ng friendship and brotherhoo­d with Pakistan,” he told a reception held to mark the 78th National Day.

“On this very special day, let me also reaffirm that in Pakistan and in all Pakistanis, the people and the government of the UAE will always find sincere friends, partners and supporters,” he added.

The ambassador said that Pakistan attaches great importance to the peace, security, stability and continued prosperity of the UAE.

The UAE Embassy also arranged a special exhibition as part of the Year of Zayed, showcasing the rare photos of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan especially highlighti­ng his love for Pakistan.

“This relationsh­ip of trust and affection between our two nations is grounded in age-old bonds and I sincerely hope that our two people would continue to strive for progress, prosperity and stability of both the UAE and Pakistan,” he said.

Overseas Pakistanis are an important element of power and they are foremost among the authors scripting the success story of their country with their huge contributi­ons, a top diplomat said.

“Pakistan salutes these sons and daughters of the soil working overseas and making a difference in their country with hard work,” added Pakistan’s Ambassador Moazzam Ahmad Khan while speaking at the official National Day reception held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. A large number of prominent community members, diplomats from various countries and officials attended the event organised by the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, was the chief guest and Dr Maitha Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, also attended the event. Pakistani expatriate­s in the UAE will join the celebratio­ns today to mark their country’s 78th National Day.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Khan said Pakistan has turned the corner in the fight against terrorism and extremism. “Pakistan has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism for over a decade and a half. We have been sacrificin­g precious lives and valuable resources.

“Our valiant armed forces, with the unflinchin­g support of the people, the political leadership and the state institutio­ns of Pakistan, have wiped out the forces of evil from our soil.”

He noted that free media, independen­t judiciary and robust democracy continue to underpin Pakistan’s stability and prosperity. “The rapid pace of implementi­ng the $54-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is fast helping transform Pakistan’s geostrateg­ic significan­ce into geo-economic strength,” he added.

He also thanked the UAE government for sending a big contingent of its armed forces to participat­e in the Pakistan National Day parade in Islamabad. “We feel honoured to have these special guests on our soil and thanked the UAE for showing the special gesture of its commitment to the longstandi­ng friendship and brotherhoo­d with Pakistan,” he said.

“On this very special day, let me also reaffirm that in Pakistan and in all Pakistanis, the people and the government of the UAE will always find sincere friends, partners and supporters.”

Pakistan attaches great importance to the peace, security, stability and continued prosperity of the UAE, the ambassador added.

The UAE Embassy also arranged a special exhibition as part of the Year of Zayed, showcasing the rare photos of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

“Shaikh Zayed was a great friend and benefactor of Pakistan. His love and affinity for Pakistanis, his benevolenc­e and kindness are now the stuff of legends. Till this day, he rules our hearts and minds,” he said, adding that “Pakistan is very much a part of his legacy, as he is part of ours”.

“I count the UAE among the foremost of Pakistan’s friends and partners. Right from its inception in 1971, the UAE has stood by Pakistan in good times and bad,” he added.

The Pakistani community across the UAE has arranged events to mark their National Day. Some of the biggest events are being held at the Pakistan Associatio­n Dubai and Pakistan Social Centre in Sharjah.

 ?? Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News ?? ■ Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan was the chief guest at the Pakistan National Day reception hosted by Ambassador Moazzam Ahmad Khan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News ■ Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan was the chief guest at the Pakistan National Day reception hosted by Ambassador Moazzam Ahmad Khan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

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