Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan met Prime Minister Imran Khan during a day-long visit to Pakistan on Sunday where both leaders expressed their determination to further cement the mutual relationship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed thanks to Crown Prince for the generous balance of payment support of US $3 billion to Pakistan. He noted that this financial support shows the UAE''s continued commitment and friendship that has remained steadfast over the years. He also welcomed the UAE''s interest in investing in Pakistan''s oil and gas, logistics, ports and construction sectors.
Prime Minister Khan and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed noted that the forthcoming Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission, to be co-chaired by the respective foreign ministers in Abu Dhabi in February 2019 can play a pivotal role in chalking out a comprehensive roadmap as well as fast tracking the approval of pending agreements and memoranda of understanding.
The leaders of both the countries have met thrice in three months. Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the UAE twice after assuming office in August to seek economic assistance.
According to official handout issued by the Prime Minister Secretariat, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Prime Minister Imran Khan held wide ranging talks focusing on all areas of bilateral relations.
Taking note of the positive trajectory of relations, the two leaders expressed their determination to further strengthen this historic and mutually beneficial relationship. They also discussed various issues of regional and global importance, and noted that a complete identity of views on these issues serves as the basis of long-lasting and trusted friendship.
The Prime Minister briefed the Crown Prince on the situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the plight of Kashmiris. The two leaders underscored the importance of effectively pursuing the various initiatives taken for a strengthened strategic bilateral economic relationship including working on a long-term investment framework agreement. They also resolved to take all necessary measures to deal with matters related to trade enhancement, and decided to form a Task Force to achieve this objective.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the ongoing defence and security cooperation and resolved to explore further collaboration in the areas of training, joint exercises and defence production.
The Prime Minister congratulated the leadership of the UAE for declaring 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. He noted that this is the best way to pay tribute to the vision and legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The two leaders reiterated their strong belief that the region can attain sustainable peace and stability only by espousing the principles of tolerance, non-interference and focusing on a people-centric development agenda.
They strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and expressed their resolve to work closely to root out this scourge. The Crown Prince recognised the efforts and unparalleled sacrifices made by Pakistan to eliminate terrorism and extremism.
Prime Minister Khan thanked the UAE leadership and its people for their continued commitment to Pakistan''s socioeconomic development in the shape of Pakistan Assistance Programme. He thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support to eradicate polio from Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan briefed the UAE leadership about his government''s people-centric reform agenda and the steps taken to promote transparency and accountability at all levels of government. To counter white collar crimes including money laundering, the two leaders instructed the concerned authorities to expedite the finalisation of the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement.
The Prime Minister briefed the Crown Prince about the efforts Pakistan is making to support and facilitates the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process. He also appreciated the role the UAE is playing by hosting reconciliation talks in Abu Dhabi. The two leaders agreed to work closely for the lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The visit underscored the strength and substance of the Pakistan-UAE special relationship, which is based on the spirit of mutual affection and deep trust and is rooted in ages old civilisational, religious, cultural and commercial affinities. The two leaders expressed their resolve that while building on this strong and proud legacy, they would continue to strive for progress, prosperity and stability of both the UAE and Pakistan.
The Crown Prince expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. Earlier, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who last visited Pakistan in 2007, was given a red carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute when he touched down at Nur Khan Airbase around noon on Sunday amid much fanfare in the capital.
He arrived in Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Khan. The Prime Minister himself welcomed and hugged the Crown Prince as he stepped off the plane and then, setting aside protocol, drove him personally to the Prime Minister House where a welcome ceremony honouring him was held.
A guard of honour was presented by a contingent of the armed forces to the visiting dignitary at the Prime Minister House. The national anthems of both countries were played, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was given a fly-past by an impressive formation of JF-17 fighter jets.
Later, delegation level talks were held between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates at the Prime Minister House after one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan led the Pakistani delegation while the UAE side was led by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Pakistan delegation included Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umer, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi and Foreign Secretary Tehmeena Janjua.
The two sides discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual, regional and international interests. The Crown Prince left for the UAE around 3:00pm after the back-to-back meetings. Before departure, the foreign dignitary was presented a photo album depicting his engagements during the brief visit.
According to the sources, the UAE package is of the same size and has the same terms and conditions as those given by Saudi Arabia. With the new package, Pakistan will save a total of about $7.9 billion on oil and gas imports from the two friendly countries, accounting for over 60 percent of the annual oil import bill amounting to roughly $12-13 billion.
This includes about $3.2 billion each of oil supplies on deferred payments from the UAE and Saudi Arabia and about $1.5 billion trade finance from the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). Currently, Pakistan is importing LNG worth $4.5 billion annually.
The sources said that the total financing support from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including the ITFC''s trade finance, is to be around $13.9-14 billion when cash deposits of $3 billion each from the two countries are also included.
Additionally, a deep-conversion oil refinery is to be set up by Parco - a joint venture of Pakistan and Abu Dhabi - worth $5-6 billion at Khalifa Point and an expected petro-chemical complex by Saudi Arabia at Gwadar Oil City.
