Pak-UAE Rising Ties.

Byline: Muhammad Asif Noor

As Pakistan struggles with a financial crisis, the country's leadership looks to the UAE for support. The civil and military leaders of Pakistan have traveled to the UAE to secure new loans and negotiate the terms and conditions of these loans. The leaders of both countries also exchanged their perspectives on various regional and global issues of mutual concern. High-level visits to the UAE occurred amidst a financial crisis and devastating floods. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan and other cabinet members accompanied the Prime Minister, who had just returned from Switzerland, where they were joined by the Chief of Army Staff. This visit by the Pakistani leadership to the UAE, coming at the start of the New Year, underscores the importance of maintaining a steady growth in mutual understanding and cooperation. It highlights the need for regular dialogue at various levels in areas such as diplomacy and security. This engagement will allow both partners to maintain the momentum of their brotherly relationship.

Sheikh Mohamad received Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff at Qasr al-Shati Palace to discuss security cooperation with high-level Emirati officials, including the National Security Advisor, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Presidential court, also in attendance. This meeting shows a commitment to addressing security concerns and highlights the strategic importance of the relationship between the two countries, not only in terms of trade and investment but also in terms of national security. This was Prime Minister Sharif's third visit to UAE after assuming office in April last year. He met the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the avenues of cooperation. Pakistan and the UAE agree to strengthen their cooperation in mutual investments, enable the integration of capital, and boost bilateral cooperation in other areas. Currently, the UAE is Pakistan's largest trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa region, with a trading volume worth $8 billion. Furthermore, the UAE is the largest foreign investor in Pakistan.

In addition to meeting with the rulers of the UAE, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also met with investment companies and representatives of Sovereign Funds to explore opportunities for foreign direct investment in Pakistan. These discussions on investment and business between the two countries are crucial as around 1.7 million Pakistanis are working in the...