ISLAMABAD, Thursday, February 19, 2026 (WNP): Advisor to the Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Misbah Khar, held a meeting with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan, Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi, at the UAE Embassy, reaffirming the two countries’ commitment to strengthening their longstanding fraternal ties.

The meeting featured comprehensive and forward-looking discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas including investment promotion, parliamentary engagement, trade expansion and deepening people-to-people contacts.

Both sides underscored their shared resolve to translate the historic friendship between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi into concrete economic and diplomatic outcomes.

Misbah Khar, who also serves as Secretary of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference (ISC), briefed the ambassador on recent official visits undertaken by Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gillani, highlighting his engagements in the United Arab Emirates. She emphasized that such high-level parliamentary interactions play a vital role in advancing strategic cooperation and strengthening institutional linkages between the two nations.

Khar noted that parliamentary diplomacy has emerged as an important pillar of bilateral relations, complementing traditional diplomatic channels and fostering deeper legislative collaboration.

Ambassador Al Zaabi congratulated Khar on the successful organization of the recent Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference hosted in Pakistan and conveyed his best wishes to Chairman Gillani.

He commended Pakistan’s efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation among parliamentary leaders, describing such initiatives as instrumental in reinforcing regional and international engagement.

Khar also informed the ambassador about preparations for the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference, describing it as a key platform for promoting multilateral dialogue, legislative exchange and mutual understanding among participating countries.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing confidence that strengthened parliamentary dialogue, coupled with enhanced economic cooperation, would further consolidate Pakistan–UAE relations and open new avenues for collaboration in trade, investment and strategic partnership in the years ahead.

Pakistan and the UAE maintain close political, economic and defence ties, with the Emirates remaining one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a major source of remittances, underscoring the enduring depth of their bilateral relationship.