RAHIM YAR KHAN, Tuesday, December 30, 2025 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held wide-ranging talks with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to elevating their longstanding brotherly ties into a robust, strategic economic partnership.

The meeting took place at the Sheikh Zayed Palace in Rahim Yar Khan and followed up on discussions held in Islamabad on December 26, during Sheikh Mohamed’s first official visit to Pakistan as UAE president.

The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and other senior officials.

Describing the talks as warm and cordial, Prime Minister Sharif underscored Pakistan’s resolve to significantly enhance bilateral trade, calling for a “quantum jump” to bring economic exchanges to their full potential. Both leaders discussed practical ways to expand cooperation across key sectors, including information technology, energy, mining and minerals, as well as defence collaboration.

Prime Minister Sharif expressed deep admiration for the UAE’s rapid development under Sheikh Mohamed’s “dynamic and visionary leadership” and thanked him for his personal patronage and commitment to strengthening Pakistan-UAE relations. He also acknowledged the UAE’s role in hosting more than 2.1 million Pakistani expatriates, noting that the diaspora serves as a vital bridge between the two nations and contributes meaningfully to their economic and social ties.

Beyond bilateral matters, the two leaders exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest, reflecting close coordination on broader geopolitical and economic challenges.

The meeting capped a year of intensive leadership-level engagement between Pakistan and the UAE, highlighting the momentum in relations and a shared commitment to deepening cooperation for mutual prosperity and regional stability.