COAS, UAE president discuss bilateral ties

PM Shehbaz, FM Bilawal to join for talks with UAE amid economic crunch

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday discussed bilateral ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The army chief is on a maiden official visit to the UAE and arrived in Abu Dhabi today where the two leaders discussed the regional situation and ways to increase bilateral cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

متحدہ عرب امارات كے صدر عزت مآب الشیخ محمد بن زاید آل نہیان نے پاكستان كے چیف آف آرمی اسٹاف جنرل عاصم منیر كا ابوظبی میں استقبال كیا اور علاقائی صورتحال اور دونوں ملكوں كے درمیان دوطرفہ تعاون وشراكت داری كو بڑھانے كے طریقوں پر تبادلہ خیال كیا pic.twitter.com/3wK6Yb4tG9

— UAE Embassy PK (@uaeembassyisb) January 10, 2023

A day earlier General Munir met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the winter camp in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, where they discussed ways to enhance relations between the Kingdom and Pakistan in addition to a number of issues of common concern.

During his visit to the KSA, the COAS also visited Majid Al-Haram in Makkah where the doors of the Holy Kaaba were exclusively opened for him.

Read Saudi Arabia mulls increasing investments, deposits to Pakistan

The army chief embarked on his first trip to Saudi Arabia and the UAE last week on an official visit from January 4 to 10. The visit comes at a crucial juncture when Pakistan is facing yet another balance of payment crisis.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also expected to fly to the UAE on Jan 12, after his return from Geneva, as part of a desperate attempt by Pakistan to shore up its depleting foreign reserves.

Sources said he will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and they will be joined by General Munir for talks with the rich Gulf state.

Though details are not yet clear about what compelled PM Shehbaz to travel to the UAE, it is believed the visit is linked to the worsening economic crises in Pakistan.