ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday resolved to enhance bilateral cooperation in all sectors, state-run media reported, following Abu Dhabi crown prince’s recent visit to Pakistan.
Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Pakistan on his first official visit to the country on Feb. 27 with a high-level delegation. During the visit, both countries signed key agreements to boost cooperation in mining, railways, banking and infrastructure sectors.
Dar, who is also his country’s deputy prime minister, received a phone call from the UAE foreign minister on Wednesday during which the latter conveyed Ramadan greetings to the former and the people of Pakistan, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and UAE Deputy PM/ Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across all sectors,” APP said.
“The two leaders also discussed the results of the recent visit by the Crown Prince of the UAE to Pakistan,” it added.
Dar also extended Ramadan wishes to the UAE foreign minister and expressed solidarity with the people of the Gulf country.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States and a major source of foreign investment, valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the Gulf country’s foreign ministry.
Pakistan and the UAE have stepped up efforts in recent years to strengthen economic relations. Last year the two countries signed multiple agreements exceeding $3 billion for cooperation in railways, economic zones, and infrastructure development.
Policymakers in Pakistan consider the UAE an optimal export destination due to its geographical proximity, which minimizes transportation and freight costs while facilitating commercial transactions.
The UAE is also home to more than a million Pakistani expatriates, making it the second-largest Pakistani expatriate community worldwide and a major source of foreign workers’ remittances.
Pakistan, UAE resolve to enhance cooperation after Abu Dhabi crown prince’s visit
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Pakistan, UAE resolve to enhance cooperation after Abu Dhabi crown prince’s visit
- Pakistan signed cooperation agreements in banking, mining and railways with UAE during crown prince’s visit last week
- UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment
If India doesn’t want handshakes, Pakistan has no desire for it either— PCB
- Indian cricketers have refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in recent matches
- Pakistan’s senior men’s cricket team willl next face India on Feb. 15 in T20 World Cup group clash
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently criticized the Indian cricket team’s “no-handshake” policy, saying Pakistani cricketers will also refrain from the friendly gesture if it persists.
The Indian cricket team has refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in recent matches between the two sides. This policy made headlines worldwide in September when the two sides met for the Asia Cup 2025 in three cricket matches, with the Indian team refusing to shake hands with Pakistani team members each time.
India’s new policy to not shake hands with Pakistani cricketers took place months after the two nuclear-armed neighbors clashed in a four-day military conflict in May. Washington eventually intervened and brokered a ceasefire on May 10 after four days of conflict.
“If they do not want to do handshakes, then we also have no desire for it either,” Naqvi told reporters at a press conference on Sunday.
The PCB chairman, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, said cricket matters related to India will be decided on an “equal footing.”
“It won’t happen that they do one thing and we beg them in return,” Naqvi said. “This won’t happen.”
Pakistan’s Under-19 squad this month defeated India in a one-sided final for the U-19 Asia Cup tournament in Dubai.
Pakistan’s senior men’s cricket team is set to face India in Sri Lanka on Feb. 15 in a group stage clash for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
