Islamabad, 8 September 2021 (TDI): Pakistan’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Hussain Chaudhary received UAE’s Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Alzaabi at Ministry’s Office Islamabad today.
Both Dignitaries reviewed the bilateral cooperation between both countries and matters of mutual interests. Furthermore, they discussed the latest developments in the region as well as on International Arena.
Moreover, they agreed to continue to work for the long-term cooperation between both countries in all sectors of life. Also, they discussed difficult mechanisms and ways for the development of joint bilateral partnerships.
Expo 2020 Dubai
Minister Fawad Chaudhry also congratulated UAE on hosting the world’s largest Expo 2020 Dubai, especially after the pandemic. The minister said that the Expo will play a unique role and Pakistan will be having a special pavilion. Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Commerce are working together to participate in this expo.
Minister of information said that Pakistan has a key role to play in Afghanistan. Pakistan had made sincere efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan. He has also shared about the role played by Pakistan to evacuate the foreign nationals from Kabul. This support has been appreciated by the whole world.
Ambassador said that UAE and Pakistan are committed to strengthening the relations in diversifying fields. He further added that Pakistan is playing a valuable role in peace and stability in the region.
During the meeting, both sides also discussed the areas of mutual interest, including bilatera cooperation in different fields and the situation in Afghanistan.
Pakistan and UAE Relations
UAE and Pakistan have close ties and both countries have signed mutual agreements worth billions of dollars. This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan and the UAE enjoy strong fraternal ties, rooted deep in common faith and shared history and values. High-level visits between the two countries have played a pivotal role in providing further impetus to strengthening bilateral cooperation and collaboration on a wide range of issues.
The ties date back to the early 70s when UAE was established. Over the years the relations evolved manifold. Pakistan was the first country to formally recognize UAE as an independent state. Both countries have similar faiths and are one of the key points of convergence at the bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels. Diaspora living in UAE building a strong bond between Pakistan and UAE. Over the years, UAE has supported Pakistan in every thick and thin. UAE was the major financial donor for the country especially the humanitarian aid during natural disasters.
Over the years, trade volume between UAE and Pakistan has improved manifold. In the humanitarian sector, UAE supported Pakistan by launching UAE-Pakistan Assistance Program. This was launched in 2011.
Along with these infrastructure projects, assistance programs in poverty eradication, developing education
This program has been vital, especially in areas like Swat, as it successfully provided for the construction of two bridges, 52 schools, and seven hospitals as well as 64 water supply schemes. Apart from infrastructural gaps, this assistance program also focuses on alleviating poverty, developing education, and advancing healthcare. As of 2020, more than 30,000 Pakistani students have been enrolled in schools built by UAE-PAP with an estimated investment value of USD 200 million.
The UAE has also orchestrated many campaigns to eradicate polio in Pakistan. Since 2014, millions of doses were delivered and administered to about 71 million children in Pakistan.
