ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held their inaugural session of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) in Islamabad on Monday.
BPC is another forum for strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Assistant Foreign Minister Khalifa Shaheen Khalifa Al-Marar headed the Emirati delegation, while Pakistani officials were led by Foreign Affairs Additional Secretary Khalid Memon.
“Two sides reviewed the progress achieved so far in implementing Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directive to transform Pakistan-UAE relations into a long-term strategic economic partnership,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The officials discussed the Afghan peace process, stability in the Middle East and issues of common interest. The UAE delegation was also briefed on rights violations in India-administered Kashmir.
“Fruitful exchanges on Pakistan-UAE relations; dire situation in IOJ&K; Afghan peace and reconciliation process; and peace and stability in Middle East,” Foreign Office spokeswoman Aisha Farooqui said in a Twitter post.
Al-Marar also met with Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood.
Regular bilateral consultations are expected to increase cooperation and “enhance the momentum of bilateral exchanges and high-level visits,” according to the Foreign Office’s statement.
During Prime Minister Khan’s visit to the UAE in November 2018, the two countries agreed to chalk out a comprehensive road-map to accelerate cooperation and BPC was a part of it.
Khan visited the UAE several times since assuming office in August 2018, to secure financial assistance to tackle Pakistan’s economic crisis. The UAE pledged $3 billion in balance-of-payments support and oil supply on deferred payments.
