ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and offered his condolences to the Al-Nahyan family as well as the leadership and people of the UAE on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. 

Last week, rulers in the UAE unanimously appointed Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan as the nation’s president, a day after long-ailing ruler and president Sheikh Khalifa died at the age of 73.

“Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zaradri offered condolences to the newly-elected President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Al-Nahyan family, the leadership and people of the UAE, on the demise of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi today,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.

“The Foreign Minister also offered condolences to other members of the Royal family and prayed for the strength and fortitude of the leadership and brotherly people of the UAE to bear the irreparable loss.”

Bhutto-Zardari lauded invaluable contributions of Sheikh Khalifa in strengthening bilateral ties between Pakistan and the UAE, describing him as a “sincere friend” of Pakistan.

He also conveyed his best wishes to Sheikh Mohammed on assuming his responsibilities as the new president of the UAE.

Sheikh Khalifa oversaw much of the UAE’s economic growth and his name was immortalized on the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, after bailing out debt-crippled Dubai during its financial crisis over a decade ago.

After suffering a stroke and undergoing emergency surgery in 2014, a decade after becoming president, he ceased to have involvement in the day-to-day affairs of ruling the country.