Pakistan’s president begins four-day UAE visit in Abu Dhabi

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday on a four-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates, according to the presidency.

Zardari was received at the Presidential Flight Terminal of Zayed International Airport by UAE Minister of Justice Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi.

First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi are accompanying the president during the visit. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Shafqat Ali Khan, was also present at the airport.

Pakistan and the UAE maintain close political and economic relations, with Abu Dhabi playing a pivotal role in supporting Islamabad during periods of financial stress through deposits, oil facilities and investment commitments.

The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, after China and the United States, and a key destination for Pakistani exports, particularly food, textiles and construction services.

The Gulf state is also home to more than 1.5 million Pakistani expatriates, one of the largest overseas Pakistani communities in the world, who contribute billions of dollars annually in remittances, a crucial source of foreign exchange for Pakistan’s economy.

Beyond trade and labor ties, Pakistan and the UAE have steadily expanded defense and security cooperation over the years, including military training, joint exercises and collaboration in counter-terrorism and regional security matters.

The visit will continue until Jan. 29, 2026. During the visit, Zardari is scheduled to hold meetings with the UAE leadership to review all aspects of bilateral relations. Discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, economic partnership, defense, security and people-to-people contacts.

Officials said the visit reflects strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and the UAE and underscores a shared commitment to further strengthening their longstanding partnership.