UAE is a friend Pakistan can always rely on

The UAE has always been responsive to Pakistan’s developmental requirements. In addition to assisting Pakistan’s economy by hiring its labour force and giving direct aid, the UAE has been a major investor in the country’s key sectors like oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, aviation, banking, and energy. The Emirates Polio Campaign — symbolic of the UAE’s humanitarian commitments to securing a decent life for the people — has provided Dh440.8 million to eradicate polio from Pakistan, one of the last frontiers of the disease. The 1.6-million strong Pakistani diaspora in the UAE provides an added impetus to the strong relations between the two nations. The visit of a high-level delegation headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to Pakistan on Sunday is expected to give new dimensions to the relationship at the political, economic and social levels. During the visit,

Sheikh Mohamed and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan explored various aspects of political, economic, investment and developmental relations and the possibility of enhancing them in multiple vital sectors, as well as intensifying coordination on new opportunities that serve the aspirations of the two countries. Last month, the UAE announced it would deposit $3 billion in Pakistan’s central bank to help the country tide over monetary problems.

The two countries’ close fraternal relations have been ingrained with bonds of history, common faith and shared values. But this closeness and cooperation have not been proportional in terms of commerce. The current trade volume between Pakistan and the UAE is about $8 billion, and there is potential to increase it further. The UAE being a role model in terms of happiness, sustainability and qualitative life, is now a pioneer in regional space pursuits. Cooperation in space and alternative sources of energy, especially solar energy, would be game changers for both the nations.

Cooperation in space and alternative sources of energy, especially solar energy, would be game changers for both the countries.