ISLAMABAD: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, on Friday paid his first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office, holding talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that focused on deepening economic cooperation and regional coordination, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The visit, undertaken at Sharif’s invitation, comes as Pakistan seeks to strengthen ties with Gulf partners and attract foreign investment to support its economy.

The visiting leader arrived at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, where he was received by Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and senior members of the federal cabinet. His aircraft was escorted by a formation of JF-17 fighter jets as it entered Pakistani airspace, and he was accorded a 21-gun salute.

“Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held substantive talks with the Prime Minister,” the official statement circulated at the end of his visit said. “Both sides underscored the importance of expanding collaboration in economic cooperation, investment, energy, infrastructure development, IT, technology and people-to-people exchanges.”

“They also agreed on the need to enhance bilateral trade, which had great potential for mutually beneficial growth,” it added.

The statement said the two leaders also exchanged views on important regional and international developments and reaffirmed their shared commitment to continue close coordination on matters of mutual interest.

Islamabad was decorated with Pakistani and Emirati flags and large billboards ahead of the visit, while the capital observed a public holiday as authorities rolled out traffic restrictions.

State-run broadcasters and private television channels aired footage of the UAE president’s arrival and ceremonial reception.

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 a major source of foreign investment, with Emirati investment in Pakistan exceeding $10 billion over the past two decades, 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.