UAE President meets Prime Minister today

ISLAMABAD: United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit the federal capital for a day on Monday (today) at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Baz Sharif.

He will have an important discussion with the Prime Minister, who will host a luncheon for the guest at the Prime Minister’s Residence.

“It is rare that the UAE president, who is currently on a private visit to Pakistan, accepted an invitation to visit Islamabad within a short time of his arrival in the country,” the diplomatic source said. According to sources, he accepted the host prime minister’s invitation when he greeted dignitaries at Rahim Yar Khan airport on January 25, showing his magnanimity and affection for the Pakistani people.

The source recalled that the UAE had assured Pakistan that it would support Pakistan in overcoming its current financial difficulties. The two leaders are likely to discuss topics of mutual interest and Pakistan’s pressing needs will also be considered in the process.

The UAE has shown keen interest in investing heavily in Pakistan. Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif has been appointed by the Prime Minister as Alternate Minister for the Honorable Visiting Head of State.

The absence of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari from the discussion was notable as he was in Moscow at the invitation of his Russian counterpart.

Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, has been in constant contact with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make the visit a success. Sources told The Press on Sunday that the host federal government declared a public holiday in the capital on Monday to mark the visit, a sign of warmth and goodwill. All schools, colleges and public offices will be closed except CDA, SNGPL, IESCO, hospitals, district administrations and metropolitan corporate offices.

His visit to the capital will highlight important meetings, notably a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Baz Sharif.

The announcement was made by Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, who said a notice had been issued regarding the holiday. The Senate meeting of the Islamabad Secretariat will be held as planned but delayed by an hour at 4 pm instead of 3 pm.