President Zardari holds meetings with UAE leaders, highlights economic cooperation

Special Correspondent

Abu Dhabi: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday held separate meetings with senior Emirati leadership and business executives, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to tolerance, interfaith harmony, and deeper economic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates.

In his meeting with H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, the president reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to promoting dialogue, inclusivity, and peaceful coexistence.

President Zardari paid tribute to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and praised the UAE’s national vision of tolerance and human fraternity, noting that it had positioned the country as a global model of harmony among diverse communities.

He lauded the UAE’s success in fostering unity among more than 200 nationalities, describing it as a compelling example of social cohesion. The president added that these values strongly resonated with Pakistan’s own constitutional commitment to interfaith harmony, social inclusion, and respect for cultural and religious diversity.

Earlier, President Zardari also met Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of AD Ports Group, and welcomed the company’s growing role in Pakistan’s maritime and logistics sector.

The president described AD Ports Group’s investments as a key pillar of Pakistan–UAE economic cooperation, highlighting the group’s ongoing projects at Karachi Port as instrumental in enhancing port capacity, efficiency and regional competitiveness.

Both sides agreed that the expansion and modernisation of port infrastructure would strengthen trade flows, support seaborne commerce and contribute to Pakistan’s broader economic development.

President Zardari also welcomed the establishment of AD Ports Group’s Representative Office in Islamabad and appreciated the company’s collaboration on digitalisation and customs facilitation initiatives aimed at improving trade efficiency.

Both meetings were attended by First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, MNA, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE.