Imran Khan, Abu Dhabi Prince discuss regional, international issues

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed satisfaction at the frequent exchange of high-level visits between Pakistan and the UAE and the steady development of cordial ties between the two fraternal countries.

He was talking to Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Islamabad on Thursday.

Both held wide-ranging talks focusing on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Underlining the strategic importance of the Pakistan-UAE special relationship, the Prime Minister stressed the imperative of deeper economic engagement. He highlighted the economic turn-around in Pakistan and the growing opportunities for foreign investment as well as fruitful trade and commercial engagement with key partner countries.

Welcoming the UAE’s interest in investing in myriad sectors in Pakistan, the Prime Minister assured maximum facilitation for UAE investments. Among others, the possibilities in the energy and tourism sectors were highlighted. Closer collaboration in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector was also underlined.

The Prime Minister highlighted the positive contributions of more than 1.6 million expatriate Pakistani community, which considers UAE as their second home.

Apprising India’s inhuman lockdown in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, continuing for over 150 days he highlighted India’s discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens and their negative consequences. He underscored the need for the world community to take urgent steps to address India’s state oppression in Indian Occupied Kashmir immediate removal of the continuing lockdown and other restrictions, avoidance of escalation of tensions on the LoC, and peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

He also apprised of Pakistan’s efforts and positive contribution to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. The Prime Minister underlined that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and the region.

The Crown Prince underlined the strategic importance of UAE- Pakistan relations and extended cordial greetings for the brotherly people of Pakistan and good wishes for their accelerated development in the year 2020 and beyond. He also underlined UAE’s support for peace and stability in South Asia and peaceful resolution of issues.

Earlier, in a special gesture, the Crown Prince was received by Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Nur Khan Airbase.