United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday concluded his first official visit to Pakistan, holding high-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on trade, investment and key regional issues.

The visit, made at the invitation of the prime minister, comes at a time when Pakistan is actively seeking to deepen relations with Gulf countries and attract foreign investment to support economic stability and growth. Upon entering Pakistani airspace, the UAE president’s aircraft was escorted by Pakistan Air Force JF-17 fighter jets, followed by a 21-gun salute at Nur Khan Airbase.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, both leaders discussed expanding cooperation in energy, infrastructure, technology, investment and people-to-people exchanges. They also agreed on the need to enhance bilateral trade, describing it as an area with strong potential to deliver mutual economic benefits.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination on matters of shared interest. Officials said the discussions reflected the depth of strategic and economic ties between the two countries.

Ahead of the visit, Islamabad was decorated with Pakistani and Emirati flags, while state and private media provided live coverage of the ceremonial reception, highlighting the importance attached to the trip.

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Pakistan considers the UAE one of its closest economic partners. The Gulf state is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment. Emirati investments in Pakistan have exceeded $10 billion over the past two decades, spanning sectors such as energy, real estate, ports and telecommunications.

The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and pave the way for new investment opportunities.