ISLAMABAD (News Desk) — United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in Islamabad today for his first official visit to Pakistan. This marks his second visit to the country this year, following a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Rahim Yar Khan in January. However, according to the Foreign Office (FO), today’s visit is his first official trip in the capacity of UAE president.
The FO said President Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Shehbaz will review the full spectrum of bilateral ties and exchange views on regional and international matters of shared concern. “The visit will provide an important opportunity to further strengthen longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates,” the FO stated.
The visit is expected to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, development projects and regional stability. Relations between Pakistan and the UAE remain rooted in historical ties, strong economic engagement, and a large Pakistani expatriate community contributing to the UAE workforce.
Earlier, the Islamabad administration declared a public holiday in the federal capital today in connection with the visit. A notification issued by the magistrate’s office stated that December 26 (Friday) will be a local holiday within the limits of Islamabad Capital Territory. Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon shared the announcement on X, clarifying that essential services such as hospitals, police, civic bodies, Capital Development Authority (CDA) and utility departments will remain functional.
In April, Pakistan and the UAE signed several memoranda of understanding aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two nations. These included agreements on cultural collaboration, formation of a joint committee on consular affairs, and the creation of the UAE-Pakistan Joint Business Council — a pact between the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
