Islamabad, December 26, 2025: United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on Friday on his first official visit to Pakistan as head of state.
This marks the Emirati president’s second visit to Pakistan this year. He had earlier met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Rahim Yar Khan in January. However, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO), Friday’s trip is his first official visit since assuming the presidency.
According to the UAE’s state news agency WAM, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Nur Khan Airbase. As his aircraft entered Pakistani airspace, it was escorted by a formation of Pakistan Air Force jets as a gesture of welcome and respect.
WAM reported that a formal reception was held on arrival, during which the national anthems of both countries were played, a 21-gun salute was fired, and an honour guard was presented to the visiting dignitary.
President Al Nahyan is accompanied by advisers to the UAE President Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, along with other ministers and senior officials.
According to the Foreign Office, the UAE president will hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
“The visit will provide an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates,” the FO said in a statement. It added that the visit reflects the depth of bilateral ties and the shared commitment of both countries to enhance cooperation in key areas including trade, investment, energy, development, and regional stability.
In view of the high-level visit, the Islamabad district administration declared a public holiday in the federal capital on Friday. A notification issued by the magistrate’s office stated that December 26 had been declared a local holiday within the revenue limits of the Islamabad Capital Territory. The notification was shared on X by Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon.
The deputy commissioner clarified that all essential services, including hospitals, police, city administration, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and utility services, would continue to function as usual.
Pakistan and the UAE enjoy close diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations, underpinned by historical ties and a large Pakistani expatriate community residing in the Emirates. The UAE is among Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a major source of remittances, with thousands of Pakistanis employed across various sectors.
Both countries also collaborate closely in defence, energy, and investment, with the UAE having frequently extended financial assistance and humanitarian support to Pakistan.
Earlier this year, in April, Pakistan and the UAE signed and exchanged multiple memoranda of understanding to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. These included MoUs on cultural cooperation, the establishment of a joint committee for consular affairs, and the formation of the UAE-Pakistan Joint Business Council through an agreement between the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
