Pakistan Extends Warm Welcome to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

RNN TV (Web Desk) —  Pakistan rolled out the red carpet on Friday as United Arab Emirates (UAE) President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

President Al Nahyan was received at Nur Khan Airbase by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with senior ministers and top government officials. As his aircraft entered Pakistani airspace, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets escorted it as a mark of respect.

A formal welcome ceremony followed, during which the national anthems of Pakistan and the UAE were played, a 21-gun salute was presented, and an honour guard from the Pakistan Armed Forces paid tribute to the visiting dignitary. Military and traditional bands performed, while children dressed in traditional attire waved the flags of both countries, adding colour to the event.

President Al Nahyan is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes his advisers Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, along with UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, federal ministers, and senior officials.

According to the Foreign Office, this marks Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office as UAE president. He had previously visited Pakistan on a private trip in January this year.

During the visit, President Al Nahyan will hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Office said the visit offers an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly ties between Pakistan and the UAE.

In view of the visit, a public holiday was declared in Islamabad. The Islamabad High Court, district courts, Senate Secretariat, National Assembly Secretariat, and the Federal Constitutional Court remained closed on December 26. However, banks and essential services, including the Capital Development Authority (CDA), police, IESCO, and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, continued to operate.