ABU DHABI, UAE: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met the UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of EXPO 2020 Dubai His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
The foreign minister discussed the prospects of enhancing Pakistan-UAE bilateral cooperation, in particular in the fields of investment, tourism and related infrastructure and strengthening the bonds of amity between the peoples of the two Countries.
While acknowledging Sheikh Nahyan’s contributions to bilateral relations between the two Countries, the foreign minister termed him as a ‘True Friend of Pakistan’. He appreciated the role played by Sheikh Nahyan in strengthening people to people linkages between the two Countries, encouraging UAE’s investment in Pakistan and promoting the welfare and well-being of 1.6 million strong Pakistani diaspora in the UAE.
Good meeting with H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistance and Commissioner General of Expo-2020 Dubai and indeed, widely recognised as a great friend of Pakistan, whose role in strengthening 🇵🇰 🇦🇪 ties is much appreciated. pic.twitter.com/DHzG0U1zsN
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) April 19, 2021
Discussed enhancement of bilateral trade, investment in Pakistan esp in hospitality industry. Exchanged on the imp role played by 🇵🇰 diaspora in the success of the UAE and further employment opps for 🇵🇰 professionals in the UAE. Pakistan looks forward to a great @expo2020dubai. https://t.co/iknAlZJifn
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) April 19, 2021
Lauding the solid foundation of the Pakistan-UAE friendship laid down by His Highness Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the foreign minister stressed the need to nurture and further strengthen close bilateral ties.
The two ministers also exchanged views on the importance of tolerance and coexistence in presenting the true image of Islam and the Islamic society.
Qureshi highlighted the positive role played by the Pakistani expatriates in the development of both countries.
Thanking the UAE’s leadership for their considerate approach towards expatriates, the foreign minister briefed Sheikh Nahyan about the issues faced by the Pakistani Community, in particular the restrictions on visa-related matters. He stressed the importance of resolving them at the earliest.
Sheikh Nahyan acknowledged the positive contribution of the Pakistani expatriates to the UAE’s progress and agreed on the need to strengthen people to people linkages.
The two ministers also exchanged views in detail on the EXPO 2020 Dubai.
Lauding the one-of-its-kind mega event in the region, Qureshi thanked the UAE’s support in setting up the Pakistan Pavilion in the EXPO.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed ideas regarding optimal utilization of the pavilion with a view to successfully showcasing Pakistan’s ‘Hidden Treasure’ – the theme of Pakistan’s pavilion in Dubai EXPO 2020.
Sharing his initiative of holding a major event in the EXPO in October 2021, the foreign minister requested Sheikh Nahyan to grace the event which was warmly accepted.
Sheikh Nahyan has played a key role in the well-being of the Pakistani Community in the UAE for decades. He is the patron-in-chief of Pakistan community schools in the Abu Dhabi region. He is also a major investor in the banking and telecommunications sectors in Pakistan. In 2005, he was awarded ‘Hilal-e-Pakistan’ for his valuable contribution to Pakistan-UAE relations.
