ISLAMABAD: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, arrived in Pakistan on Friday on his first official visit since assuming office, receiving a 21-gun salute as Islamabad and Abu Dhabi seek to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy and regional affairs.

The UAE president landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and members of the federal cabinet, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The national anthems of Pakistan and the UAE were played, and a guard of honor was presented by contingents of the Pakistani armed forces. State-run broadcasters and private television channels aired video footage of the UAE president’s arrival and ceremonial reception.

“During his visit, the President of the United Arab Emirates will meet the Prime Minister of Pakistan, during which bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues will be discussed,” an official statement circulated after Al Nahyan’s arrival said.

Earlier, the foreign office said the visit would provide an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding relations between the two countries.

It added the discussions between the two sides would explore ways to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy and development.

Islamabad was decorated with Pakistani and Emirati flags and large billboards carrying images of the visiting UAE president alongside President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif ahead of the visit.

The Islamabad administration declared a public holiday in the capital, while traffic police announced an extensive plan to manage vehicular movement during the visit.

Pakistan considers the UAE one of its closest regional and economic partners. The Gulf state is Islamabad’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States and remains a major source of foreign investment.

Over the past two decades, Emirati investment in Pakistan has exceeded $10 billion, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry.

Pakistani policymakers also view the UAE as an important export destination due to its geographical proximity, which reduces transportation and freight costs.