The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistani media outlet Geo News reported that the United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, for his first official visit to Pakistan since taking office, amid a ceremonial welcome and heightened security in the capital.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen.
Asim Munir received the Emirati leader at Nur Khan Airbase, where Pakistan Air
Force fighter jets escorted his aircraft as it entered Pakistani airspace. The
welcome ceremony included the playing of the national anthems of both
countries, a 21-gun salute, and a guard of honour presented by contingents of
the Pakistan Armed Forces.
Geo News said children dressed in traditional attire waved
the national flags of Pakistan and the UAE, while military and cultural bands
performed during the reception. Several federal ministers and senior officials
were also present and were introduced to the UAE president during the ceremony.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is accompanied by a high-level
delegation, including presidential advisers Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Salem
Mohammed Al Zaabi, as well as ministers and senior government officials.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE
president is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the entire
spectrum of bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and
international issues, with a particular focus on trade, investment, energy,
development cooperation, and minerals. The Foreign Office said the visit
provides an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding
fraternal ties between the two countries.
This is Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s second trip to Pakistan
in 2025, following a private visit in January, but his first official visit as
president of the UAE.
In connection with the visit, a local holiday was declared
in Islamabad, leading to the closure of courts and parliamentary secretariats,
while essential services, including hospitals, police, and utility providers,
continued to operate. Authorities also announced temporary traffic diversions
across parts of the capital to facilitate the visit.
Pakistan and the UAE maintain close diplomatic, economic,
and cultural relations. The UAE is among Pakistan’s major trading partners and
a key source of remittances, supported by a large Pakistani workforce living
and working in the Gulf state.
