FM urges UAE to resolve visa-related issues of Pakistani community

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday met UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan and stressed the need to nurture and further strengthen close bilateral ties between the two countries, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

Acknowledging Sheikh Nahyan’s contributions to bilateral relations between the two countries, the foreign minister termed him as a "true friend of Pakistan".

He appreciated the role played by Sheikh Nahyan in strengthening people-to-people linkages between the two countries, encouraging UAE investment in Pakistan and promoting the welfare and well-being of 1.6 million strong Pakistani diaspora in the UAE.

FM Qureshi also discussed the prospects of enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of investment, tourism and related infrastructure and strengthening the bonds of amity between the peoples of the two nations.

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Lauding the solid foundation of the Pakistan-UAE friendship laid down by late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the foreign minister stressed the need to nurture and further strengthen close bilateral ties.

The two ministers also exchanged views on the importance of tolerance and coexistence in presenting the true image of Islam and the Islamic society.

Qureshi urges UAE to resolve visa-related matters

FM Qureshi highlighted the positive role played by the Pakistani expatriates in the development of both countries. Thanking the UAE leadership for their considerate approach towards expatriates, the foreign minister briefed Sheikh Nahyan about the issues faced by the Pakistani community, in particular the restrictions on visa-related matters. He stressed the importance of resolving them at the earliest.

Sheikh Nahyan acknowledged the positive contribution of the Pakistani expatriates to the UAE progress and agreed on the need to strengthen people-to-people linkages.

The two ministers also exchanged views in detail on the EXPO 2020 Dubai. Lauding the one-of-its-kind mega event in the region, FM Qureshi thanked the UAE’s support in setting up the Pakistan Pavilion in the EXPO.

He discussed ideas regarding optimal utilisation of the pavilion with a view to successfully showcasing Pakistan’s ‘Hidden Treasure’ – the theme of Pakistan’s pavilion in Dubai EXPO 2020.

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Sharing his initiative of holding a major event at the EXPO in October 2021, the foreign minister requested Sheikh Nahyan to grace the event, which was warmly accepted.

Sheikh Nahyan has played a key role in the well-being of the Pakistani community in the UAE for decades. He is the patron-in-chief of Pakistan community schools in the Abu Dhabi region.

He is also a major investor in the banking and telecommunications sectors in Pakistan. In 2005, he was awarded ‘Hilal-e-Pakistan’ for his valuable contribution to Pakistan-UAE relations.

Qureshi meets UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

Meanwhile, FM Qureshi also met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh at the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Abu Dhabi today.

The foreign minister conveyed warm wishes to the UAE’s leadership from the prime minister. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding fraternal ties with the UAE and expressed his desire to further strengthen and solidify bilateral cooperation in myriad fields.

The UAE minister warmly reciprocated the sentiments and emphasised the importance accorded by the UAE to its relationship with Pakistan.

During the meeting, both leaders reviewed all facets of bilateral relations, in particular in the fields of trade and investment. They agreed to work on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in mutually beneficial areas, especially through economic diplomacy.

Expressing satisfaction at the existing cooperation in multilateral fora, both agreed to continue close collaboration in regional and global organisations.

FM Qureshi emphasised the need to reinvigorate and nurture the strong foundations of fraternal ties laid by the leadership of the two countries. He shared his ideas on jointly harnessing the true potential of both countries, showcasing the achievements thus far, and planning the future trajectory of bilateral relations.

The foreign minister lauded the positive role of Pakistani expatriates in the UAE in strengthening the bonds between the two countries. The UAE minister acknowledged the value of the Pakistani diaspora for the diverse fabric of the UAE’s society.

FM Qureshi also apprised him of issues faced by the Pakistani expatriates, in particular the visa restrictions applicable on some categories.

The foreign minister will be meeting his UAE counterpart later tonight before departing the UAE tomorrow morning.