Pakistan president to visit UAE for talks on trade, security and regional issues

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari will undertake an official visit to the United Arab Emirates from Jan. 26–29, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on Monday, as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation across trade, security, and investment.

Zardari will be accompanied by a high-level delegation and is scheduled to hold talks with the UAE leadership to review the full spectrum of bilateral ties, with a focus on economic partnership, defence and security cooperation, and people-to-people links, the statement said.

Developments of mutual interest 

The discussions will also cover regional and international developments of mutual interest, the Foreign Office added.

Just days before the President's visit, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks in Abu Dhabi with Emirati officials, including discussions on Etisalat's ongoing investment in Pakistan and plans to expand through its stake in Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited.

"The visit of the President reaffirms commitment to transforming the strong friendship between Pakistan and the UAE into a mutually rewarding partnership," the Foreign Office spokesperson said in the curtain raiser.

The trip follows a recent visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan, underscoring what the statement describes as the "deep brotherly ties" between the two nations.

"The visit reaffirms commitment to transforming the strong friendship between Pakistan and the UAE into a mutually rewarding partnership," the Foreign Office spokesperson said in the statement.