Abu Dhabi Crown Prince wraps up Pakistan visit with key agreements
UAE and Pakistan sign MoUs on gold mining, railways, and economic zones
ABU DHABI: His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has concluded an official visit to Pakistan on behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Crown Prince was bid farewell at Nur Khan Air Base in Islamabad by Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan. Expressing his gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conveyed his best wishes for Pakistan’s continued progress, development, and prosperity.
During his visit, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held official discussions with Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad. Talks centred on the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, reinforcing their shared commitment to advancing strategic partnerships across key economic and developmental sectors.
The Crown Prince underscored the importance of further strengthening UAE-Pakistan cooperation, highlighting that both leaderships share a unified vision for sustainable economic growth and enhanced trade and investment exchanges.
Grand welcome for Crown Prince
Upon his arrival at Nur Khan Air Base on Thursday, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was welcomed by President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz Sharif, and several senior officials.
A grand reception ceremony was held, during which Shehbaz Sharif escorted His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the ceremonial platform. The national anthems of the UAE and Pakistan were played, followed by a formal guard of honour.
Strategic MoUs signed
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Pakistani premier witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements spanning multiple sectors, further cementing the UAE-Pakistan partnership.
Railway expansion: A significant MoU was signed between Etihad Rail and Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways. The agreement aims to enhance the operational efficiency of Pakistan’s railway network while laying the foundation for a new railway infrastructure. This initiative seeks to improve connectivity across the country, facilitate mobility, and support economic growth.
Gold and Copper mining: An agreement in the mining sector was signed between International Resources Holding (IRH), a subsidiary of 2PointZero under International Holding Company (IHC), and Mari Energies. The partnership will focus on copper and gold exploration in Balochistan’s Chagai district, a region known for its untapped mineral wealth.
Banking sector investment: Eve Holding RCS, a subsidiary of 2PointZero, signed an agreement with First Women Bank Limited (FWBL) to acquire 82.64% of the bank’s shares. This acquisition aims to strengthen Pakistan’s banking sector, particularly in supporting women entrepreneurs and businesses.
Special Economic Zone development: A crucial MoU was signed between AD Ports Group and the Pakistan Board of Investment to explore the development of a Special Economic Zone near Karachi Port and Port Qasim. This initiative is expected to enhance trade and economic activities in the region.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was accompanied by a distinguished delegation, including His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of 2PointZero; Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment; Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Maryam Eid Al Mheiri, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Media Office; and Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Security Affairs at the Supreme Council for National Security.
Other notable attendees included Hamad Obaid Alzaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan; Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail; Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group; Syed Basar Shueb, CEO and Managing Director of IHC; and Ali Rashed Al Rashdi, CEO of International Resources Holding (IRH).