The recent visit of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, to Pakistan on April 20–21, 2025, is more than just a diplomatic courtesy—it’s a testament to a deep, fraternal bond that has shaped the destinies of both nations for over half a century.
This visit underscores a shared commitment to mutual prosperity and regional stability, rooted in history and driven by a forward-looking vision.
Historical Foundations: A Bond Forged in Faith and Friendship
The story of Pakistan-UAE relations begins in 1971, when Pakistan became the first country to recognize the newly formed United Arab Emirates. This was no mere diplomatic gesture—it was an act of solidarity between two Muslim-majority nations united by shared values, cultural affinities, and a vision for progress.
The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father, laid the cornerstone of this relationship, fostering ties that went beyond politics to embrace economic and people-to-people connections. Over the decades, this bond has grown into what Sheikh Abdullah himself has called a “unique case in Arab-Asian relations.”
Pakistan’s contributions to the UAE’s early development are a point of pride. Pakistani professionals—engineers, doctors, and educators—helped build the Emirates’ institutions, while the UAE, in turn, became a second home for millions of Pakistanis.
Today, nearly 1.6 million Pakistanis live in the UAE, the second-largest expatriate community there, contributing to both nations’ economies through remittances and expertise. This human bridge has been the heartbeat of our relationship, symbolized by landmarks in Pakistan named after Sheikh Zayed, like the Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex in Lahore and the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Swat.
Evolution of Relations: From Solidarity to Strategic Partnership
Over the past five decades, Pakistan and the UAE have transformed their friendship into a strategic partnership. The UAE is now Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, after China and the United States, with bilateral trade reaching $9 billion in 2014 and continuing to grow.
The UAE has been a lifeline during Pakistan’s economic challenges, providing $3 billion in 2019 to bolster Pakistan’s foreign reserves and $200 million in 2018 for the UAE-Pakistan Assistance Program, which rebuilt schools, hospitals, and infrastructure in flood-hit areas like Swat. These investments reflect not just economic support but a commitment to Pakistan’s long-term development.
However, this relationship hasn’t been without complexities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, tensions arose over the repatriation of Pakistani workers, with concerns about crowded living conditions in the UAE contributing to infections.
Pakistan raised these issues diplomatically, and the UAE responded with free testing and assurances of care, showing a willingness to address challenges together. More critically, the UAE’s growing global ambitions—seen in its normalization of ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords and its mediation efforts in conflicts like Afghanistan—have occasionally raised questions about alignment with Pakistan’s foreign policy, particularly on issues like Kashmir.
Yet, the strength of this relationship lies in its ability to navigate differences through dialogue, as evidenced by the UAE’s offer to mediate between Pakistan and India.
The Recent Visit: A New Chapter in Cooperation
Sheikh Abdullah’s trip to Islamabad was a high-level engagement that built on the momentum of recent interactions, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the UAE in February 2025 and the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s visit to Pakistan earlier this year.
The discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif covered the “entire spectrum of bilateral relations,” with a sharp focus on trade, investment, energy cooperation, regional security, and people-to-people linkages.
Trade and Investment: The UAE has invested over $10 billion in Pakistan over the past two decades, and this visit aimed to deepen that commitment. Agreements signed during the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s visit in February 2025, covering banking, railways, mining, and infrastructure, set the stage for new opportunities. Pakistan’s mining sector, particularly the Reko Diq copper-gold project, is a magnet for UAE investment, promising to boost Pakistan’s struggling economy.
Energy Cooperation: With Pakistan facing energy shortages, the UAE’s expertise in oil, gas, and renewable energy offers a lifeline. Discussions likely explored joint ventures in energy infrastructure, though Pakistan must critically assess whether these partnerships prioritize local needs over the UAE’s commercial interests, given the Emirates’ limited sharing of oil resources historically.
Regional Security: The visit also addressed shared concerns about regional stability, particularly in Afghanistan. Both nations have a history of collaboration here—the UAE, alongside Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, facilitated U.S.-Taliban talks in 2018. With Pakistan grappling with cross-border militancy and the Afghan refugee crisis, Sheikh Abdullah’s talks likely reaffirmed UAE support for a stable, peaceful region, though concrete outcomes remain to be seen.
People-to-People Ties: The Pakistani diaspora in the UAE, described as a “bridge between nations,” was a key focus. The UAE’s recent introduction of five-year visas for Pakistanis signals a commitment to easing mobility, though challenges like visa restrictions during COVID-19 remind us that these policies must be consistent and equitable.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges
This visit reaffirms the UAE and Pakistan’s shared vision for peace and prosperity, but it also invites critical reflection. For Pakistan, the challenge is to leverage UAE investments without becoming overly dependent on external bailouts. The UAE’s diversified foreign policy—balancing ties with the U.S., Israel, and Syria—means Pakistan must assert its strategic interests, particularly on issues like Kashmir and Afghanistan, where UAE mediation could either bridge gaps or complicate dynamics.
At the same time, the opportunities are immense. The UAE’s ambition to be a global economic hub aligns with Pakistan’s push for economic diplomacy, as seen in its digital trade integration and special economic zones. Joint ventures in IT, telemedicine, and education could unlock new sectors, while the Pakistani diaspora continues to strengthen cultural and economic ties.
As Sheikh Abdullah met with Pakistan’s leadership, including General Asim Munir, the message was clear: this is a partnership rooted in trust, ready to tackle 21st-century challenges together.
Pakistan and the UAE are not just neighbors in the Muslim world—they are partners in a shared journey toward progress. Sheikh Abdullah’s visit is a reminder that our fraternal ties, forged in the sands of 1971, are as strong as ever. But strength demands action.
Pakistan must seize this moment to deepen economic ties, ensure equitable partnerships, and amplify its voice in regional dialogues. Together, we can write the next chapter of this remarkable story—one of prosperity, stability, and mutual respect. Thank you
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
