PM Shehbaz lands in UAE on day-long official visit
UAE National Security Advisor receives PM Shehbaz upon his arrival at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi. Photo: x.com/GovtofPakistan
Listen to article
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reached Abu Dhabi on a one-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Upon arrival at Al Bateen Airport on Thursday, the Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor of the UAE.
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor of the United Arab Emirates, receives Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/Q1pwhSKkQv — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 12, 2025
During his visit, Sharif is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with the UAE leadership, including a crucial bilateral discussion with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The talks will cover a broad spectrum of bilateral, regional, and global issues that are of mutual interest to both nations.
The Pakistani delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is undertaking an official visit to the United Arab Emirates.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold high-level meetings with the UAE leadership, including a bilateral meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,… pic.twitter.com/WfQFx2usRW
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 12, 2025
This visit comes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Pakistan and the UAE, with discussions expected to focus on enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as trade, security, and regional stability.
Last week, Sharif undertook a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The PM and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to further elevate the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia "in accordance with the shared vision of the leadership and aspirations of the brotherly people of the two countries".
Both the leaders also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to deepening the multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
In May, Sharif concluded a six-day tour of Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan. The tour was undertaken to consolidate regional ties and personally thank the leadership of those nations for their support during the crisis with India.
Read More: Shehbaz, Erdogan vow to elevate 'strategic' ties
The trip concluded in Tajikistan, where the prime minister participated in the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, reiterating Pakistan's commitment to regional cooperation on climate issues.
Both diplomatic engagements were described by the Foreign Office as part of Pakistan's broader effort to bolster strategic partnerships, strengthen economic relations, and reinforce solidarity within the region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
PM Pakistan condemns unprovoked Israeli attack on Iran
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned what he described as an 'unprovoked' Israeli attack on Iran, warning that the incident could further destabilise an already volatile region. In a statement posted on X, Sharif said: 'I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, today's unprovoked attack on Iran by Israel. This grave and highly irresponsible act is deeply alarming and risks further de-stabilising an already volatile region.' He expressed sympathy for the Iranian people over reported casualties and called on the international community, including the United Nations, to act swiftly to prevent any further escalation that could threaten regional or global peace. In a separate move, the prime minister instructed authorities to ensure the safety and secure return of Pakistani pilgrims currently in Iran. A Crisis Management Cell has been established at Pakistan's Foreign Office, and the country's embassy in Iran has been placed on high alert. 'Steps must be taken to ensure the safety of the pilgrims,' Sharif said. 'All possible resources should be utilised to ensure their safe return.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Gulf countries fear Israel-Iran spillover
Gulf countries on Friday unanimously condemned Israel's strikes on Iran, fearing an escalation that could threaten economic interests and security. "Gulf states are very much caught between a rock and a hard place," Sanam Vakil, director of the Chatham House think-tank's Middle East and North Africa Programme told AFP. While "they are quietly applauding the further weakening of Iran they face real risks and have to play their cards carefully", she said. Their close ties to Israel's protector Washington, which maintains military bases in the region, and their proximity to Iran — and its missiles — pose risks. Vakil said that "Saudi diplomats are distancing themselves from Israel and condemning the strikes as a means to stay out of this conflict". The unfolding situation is playing out against a recent diplomatic rapprochement Riyadh has been building with Tehran ever since China in 2023 brokered an agreement aiming to restore ties. "This is a notable difference with the situation that prevailed in the region 10 years ago, when Saudi Arabia was sort of inciting the United States to strike Iran, calling it the 'head of the snake'," said Karim Bitar, a lecturer in Middle Eastern studies at Paris's Sciences Po university. Indeed, as Tehran reeled from Israel's attacks and planned retaliation, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan called his Iranian counterpart and "stressed the importance of dialogue to address disputes". "Gulf countries realise that this Israeli attack will jeopardise their economic interests as well as the entire stability" of the region, Bitar said. That is a major preoccupation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been focusing on economic growth, giga-projects at home and diversification away from oil. During Donald Trump's first US presidency, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had pushed for a stronger stance against Iran. Gulf countries supported Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. But Gulf sentiment began to change after the United States failed to provide significant backing following attacks blamed on Tehran, analysts said. A 2019 attack — claimed by Yemen's Huthis but blamed by Riyadh and Washington on Tehran — hit Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq processing plant and Khurais oil field, temporarily halving the kingdom's crude output. Tehran denied involvement. The UAE too has been targeted by attacks from the Huthis that hit Abu Dhabi in 2022. Seeking to avert attacks by Iran and its proxies, especially as they host US bases that could become targets in the wake of a broader conflict, Gulf monarchies have pursued a detente.
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Trump tells Iran to make deal or face 'more brutal' attacks
US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for the new US ambassador to China, former US Senator David Perdue, at the White House in Washington, DC, US on May 7, 2025. Photo: REUTERS US President Donald Trump urged Iran Friday to make a deal or face "even more brutal" attacks by Israel, as Washington said it was helping its key ally defend itself against Iranian retaliation. But Trump also kept the door open for negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program, as the president who boasted he had "no wars" in his first term tries to avoid getting dragged into one in his second. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Friday, a White House official told AFP. He said earlier that Israel had let him know in advance about its strikes on Iran's military top brass and nuclear facilities. After Iran launched barrages of ballistic missiles on Friday, the United States was "assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel," two US officials told AFP, without giving detail on the extent of Washington's role. The US president also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who both stressed the need for dialogue. He also reportedly spoke to Saudi and Qatari leaders. Trump attended a National Security Council meeting in the White House Situation Room as his team worked on the crisis. An aide posted a black and white picture of a grim-faced, purse-lipped Trump striding through the West Wing. But the flurry of meetings and diplomatic calls came as Trump trod a tightrope between backing Israel and seeking the nuclear deal he promised he could reach with Iran. Israel struck Iran just hours after Trump publicly urged Netanyahu to hold off on an attack, with the first missiles landing as the US president hosted a picnic for lawmakers on the White House South Lawn. "There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Friday. "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," he said. Trump said that he "gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal." But in a series of calls with US media later, he wavered between backing Israel's "excellent" strikes and calling for a return to the negotiating table.
