UAE’s deputy PM to receive Pakistan’s highest civilian award

ISLAMABAD: In recognition of his humanitarian work toward Pakistan, President Dr. Arif Alvi will honor Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs, with one of the highest civilian awards in the country, the UAE Embassy tweeted on Sunday.
The Hilal-e-Pakistan (or Crescent of Pakistan) has been awarded to the UAE royal in recognition of his efforts “in the humanitarian and developmental fields,” the post read.
According to a statement released by the government, the award will be given at an investiture ceremony in Islamabad on March 23 next year as the nation marks Pakistan Day.
On August 14, which is Pakistan’s Independence Day, President Alvi had approved the names of 116 individuals – from Pakistan and some foreign countries – who would be given the award in recognition of their excellence and courage in their respective fields.
Pakistan and UAE enjoy close bilateral ties with UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan visiting the country in January this year.
It followed two visits by Prime Minister Imran Khan to the UAE last year, to seek economic assistance to overcome the country’s balance of payments crisis.
In December, the UAE announced a $3 billion financial support package for the same.
According to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, around 1.6 million expatriates live and work in the UAE and remit more than $4.5 billion to the country every year.