As his country seeks international assistance to recover from devastating floods, Pakistan’s prime minister has traveled to the United Arab Emirates.
Since taking office in April, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has made three trips to the UAE.
H.H Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE receives H.E Shehbaz Sharif Prime Minister of the friendly Islamic Republic of Pakistan and discusses ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and partnership in various fields, including matters of common interest pic.twitter.com/Jvw1PiVQhH
— UAE Embassy PK (@uaeembassyisb) January 12, 2023
Around 1.7 million Pakistanis live in the seven Emirates sheikhdoms. Many of them work as manual laborers, which helps the country’s economy and brings money back to their country.
During the two-day trip, Sharif intended to meet with the President of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi ruler Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Dubai ruler Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in UAE on two days visit today. The Prime Minister was received by Minister for Economy of the United Arab Emirates H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al-Marri at Abu Dhabi Airport. pic.twitter.com/u3DrJzDuQg
— Pakistan Embassy UAE (@PakinUAE_) January 12, 2023
Local media reported that Sharif will also hold talks to finalize a $2 billion investment in Pakistan and seek deferment of the UAE’s repayment of a $2 billion loan.
Sharif stated on Wednesday that a number of nations and some of the world’s institutions had pledged $9.7 billion to assist Pakistan in rebuilding following the devastating flood this summer that killed 1,739 people. Over 2 million homes were destroyed and over $30 billion in damage was caused by the floods.