ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed to further strengthen ties with the United Arab Emirates during a meeting with UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Sharif, 70, was elected to the top political office of his country on April 11, following a week-long constitutional crisis that culminated in the weekend ouster of Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote.

Al-Zaabi extended warm felicitations to the new prime minister and reaffirmed his country’s desire to further consolidate its bilateral relations with Pakistan.

Last week, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent similar messages to Sharif.

“The Prime Minister underscored his Government’s commitment to further advance the economic dimension of the relationship, focusing on enhanced trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, food security, and employment generation,” the PM Office said in a statement issued after the meeting.

Sharif pointed out that Pakistan and the UAE had always enjoyed special relations which were firmly rooted in their common faith and geographical proximity.

“He underlined that these relations were further amplified by close people-to-people contacts,” the statement added.

Sharif thanked the UAE envoy and lauded his efforts to promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

He conveyed warm greetings to the UAE leadership and expressed his resolve to closely engage with them to further broaden and deepen the bilateral ties.

“He also expressed deep appreciation for the vision of the UAE leadership for inspirational transformation of the country in the span of just 50 years,” the statement said.

Home to 1.6 million Pakistani expats, the UAE is Islamabad’s key development and trade partner in the Middle East and a major source of investments and foreign remittances.

“Prime Minister also acknowledged the important role of expatriate Pakistanis in the development of the UAE, which are serving as a strong bridge between the two countries,” the PM Office said.