RAHIMYAR KHAN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan wherein two leaders expressed their resolve to further enhance brotherly bilateral relations. Meeting took place in Rahimyar Khan as UAE President arrived in Pakistan on private visit, PM Office statement said.

On his arrival at Chandna Airport, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi.

During their meeting, Prime Minister recalled his recent visit to UAE and emphasised that both countries would work on understanding reached between two leaders during that visit. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that brotherly relations between two countries date back many decades and his father, who had immense love for Pakistan and its people, laid foundation of their bilateral ties. UAE President said that he considered Pakistan as his second home and assured Prime Minister that UAE would always stand by Pakistan.

President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan dropped clues that his country was planning to broaden its investment footprint in Pakistan which drastically needs foreign inflows to prop up its deteriorating economy. “Be prepared, UAE will make huge investment in Pakistan,” sources quoted UAE President as saying during cordial meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz at Airport. The UAE, on January 12, agreed to lend $1 billion to Pakistan and roll over an existing $2 billion loan, the country's information minister had said, as the country's central bank foreign reserves fell to just three weeks' worth of imports. The UAE's financial support offered some respite to the country that is still reeling from devastating nationwide floods that have caused more than $30 billion of damage. The loan announcements came as PM Shehbaz kicked off a two-day visit to the UAE. "This support will help us tide over economic difficulties," the premier said in a statement. He met the president and discussed business and economic opportunities with other officials and business leaders, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 26 2023

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