UAE a great friend of Pakistan: Umar Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan

Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik said this week that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a great friend of Pakistan.

“The UAE is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners, reflecting strong bilateral relations anchored in shared cultural and economic interests. President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan’s commitment to investing $10 billion in multiple sectors is highly welcomed and will play a vital role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy,” he said in a statement.

Umar Rehman Malik said the recent announcement of massive UAE investments in Pakistan was a good omen for economy.

This week, the UAE pledged $10 billion to invest in promising economic sectors in Pakistan. The announcement was made following a meeting between President Sheikh Mohamed and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and Sharif discussed opportunities to enhance co-operation in sectors including the economy, trade and development, to “serve common interests and enhance both countries’ vision of sustainable economic development and prosperity”, state news agency Wam reported.

Sharif affirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with the UAE and expanding co-operation in the economy, trade and investment, while also learning from the UAE’s development.

Last month, the International Monetary Fund’s executive board authorised $1.1 billion in funding for Pakistan, the final portion of a $3 billion arrangement Islamabad made with the multilateral lender last year.

Pakistan secured last year’s IMF loan so it could avoid defaulting on its debt. To help secure the deal, Pakistan agreed to raise taxes and aggressively increase interest rates to tackle inflation.

The IMF noted several improvements made by Pakistan since the arrangement last year, including projected economic growth of 2 per cent for this fiscal year. It also expects inflation to return to the Pakistan central bank’s target, with growth continuing to strengthen over the medium term.

The UAE is home to more than one million Pakistani citizens, representing the second largest community of foreign residents.

The two countries enjoy long-standing relations dating back to the birth of the Emirates. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognise the UAE after it was founded in December 1971.

Pakistan also played an integral role in helping the UAE’s aviation dreams to take flight. In 1985, Pakistan International Airlines offered support as Dubai sought to develop its own flagship airline, Emirates.

PIA provided assistance to Emirates and leased two aircraft to the fledgling company, which showed its gratitude by selecting Karachi as the destination for its maiden flight.