ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday discussed bilateral cooperation in port, rail and logistics with DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the Pakistani president’s office said amid Islamabad’s drive to position itself as a regional trade and transit hub.
Pakistan and the UAE have stepped up cooperation in recent months by signing various agreements. Both signed two inter-governmental framework agreements to establish a dedicated rail freight corridor and an economic zone near the southern port city of Karachi in 2024, covering more than $3 billion in planned investments.
In September 2025, DP World formally partnered with Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and the Pakistan Railways to build the first phase of a $400 million freight corridor linking Karachi Port with the Pipri marshalling yard, a major rail hub on the city’s outskirts.
“The President reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to providing institutional facilitation and fast-track approvals to partner enterprises,” Zardari’s office said in a statement about his meeting with Sulayem.
“And underscored the importance of deepening long-term cooperation in rail freight modernization, inland logistics and integrated freight corridors.”
Zardari praised DP World’s contribution to Pakistan’s logistics, port operations and infrastructure, the statement said. He said DP World’s initiatives align with Pakistan’s objective of positioning itself as a regional trade and transit hub via modern logistics infrastructure.
Sulayem noted that Pakistan occupies a critical position as sea routes face growing pressures, the Pakistani president’s office said.
“He noted that Pakistan’s direct connectivity with China and Central Asia, combined with its access to the Arabian Sea and its surface connectivity through road and rail networks, places it at the center of regional and inter-regional trade flows,” the statement said.
The Pakistani president arrived in the UAE on Monday evening on a four-day visit to review trade, economic and investment ties with the Gulf state.
Zardari also met UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Dubai’s Zabeel Palace on Wednesday. The two sides discussed ways to expand bilateral trade, economic and investment partnership, Zardari’s office said.
On Tuesday, Zardari met his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. Both leaders explored new opportunities in trade, investment and other sectors during their meeting.
