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Pakistani PM says grateful UAE visa facility being ‘opened again’

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the ceremony of the national day of the United Arab Emirates, in Islamabad on December 17, 2024. (PID)
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Updated 18 December 2024
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Pakistani PM says grateful UAE visa facility being ‘opened again’

  • Sharif’s remarks come after months of widespread media reports of a decline in visas for Pakistanis by the UAE
  • Last month, foreign office said it did not subscribe to “impression” of a ban on UAE visas for Pakistani nationals
Updated 18 December 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the UAE for working to streamline visas for Pakistanis wanting to travel to the Emirates, home to more than 1.5 million expatriates from the South Asian nation and its second-largest source of remittances after Saudi Arabia.

Sharif’s remarks come after months of widespread media reporting on a decline in visas for Pakistanis by the UAE and a decrease in overall overseas employment for nationals of Pakistan, allegedly due to their lack of respect for local laws and customs and for participating in political activities and sloganeering while abroad.

On Tuesday, the issue came up as Sharif addressed a ceremony in Islamabad to commemorate UAE’s National Day. 

“We are very grateful [to UAE] for being host to a large number of Pakistanis and I am very grateful that the visa facility is being opened again and facilitated by the ambassador and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed’s personal love for Pakistan,” Sharif said.




Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari (center), Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif(left) and Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi (right), cutting cake to mark the National Day of the United Arab Emirates, in Islamabad on December 17, 2024. (PID)

Last week, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, the ambassador of the UAE to Pakistan, called on Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and briefed him on steps being taken to streamline visas for Pakistanis. Previously, the foreign office has repeatedly said Islamabad did not subscribe to the “impression” that there is a ban on UAE visas for Pakistani nationals.

“If there are any issues that arise with respect to issuance of visas and stay of Pakistani nationals in the UAE, that are important agenda items between Pakistan and the UAE and we continue to discuss them,” the foreign office spokeswoman told reporters last month.

“STRATEGIC PARTNER”

The UAE is one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a major source of foreign investment, valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE ministry of foreign affairs. Trade volume between the two countries rose to $7.9 billion in 2023, up 12 percent from 2022. 

In May this year, Sharif said the Emirates had committed $10 billion to invest in promising economic sectors in Pakistan. The Pakistan Business Council (PBC), set up this September at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also aims to increase Pakistan’s bilateral trade volume with the UAE to $40 billion in three years.

“We are waiting anxiously for the visit of the President of UAE very soon and we are absolutely deeply engaged to promote investment, and trade,” Sharif said, thanking the UAE for its economic support to Pakistan, especially in helping meet external financing gaps that paved the way for the approval of an IMF loan program in September. 

“Without UAE’s support, this program could not have been achieved,” the Pakistani PM said. 

Speaking at the event, President Asif Ali Zardari said bilateral relations between the two countries had flourished into a “trustworthy strategic partnership across political, economic, and social dimensions.”

“The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s most significant economic partners and stands as one of the largest investors in Pakistan, and our bilateral trade continues to grow steadily,” the president said. 




Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari addresses the ceremony to mark the national day of the United Arab Emirates, in Islamabad on December 17, 2024. (PID)

“We are eager to enhance cooperation with the UAE in key areas including the Pakistan Stock Exchange, renewable energy and other promising sectors … I am sure that the recent signing of multiple agreements in diverse sectors including maritime legislation and aviation will further deepen our bilateral cooperation.”

UAE’s ambassador also addressed the ceremony and said the Emirates was committed to strengthening its partnership with Pakistan “as we see huge potential for collaboration in various sectors, including renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and agricultural innovation.”

Topics: Pakistan UAE ties uae national day Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan boosts intelligence-sharing with Gulf states to curb drug trafficking

Updated 24 June 2025
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Pakistan boosts intelligence-sharing with Gulf states to curb drug trafficking

  • The development comes months after Islamabad hosted the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council Counter-Narcotics Conference
  • Oman has appointed its drug liaison officer in Pakistan, reflecting shared commitment to drug-free Gulf and South Asia
Updated 24 June 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistan and Gulf countries have intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking by enhancing intelligence-sharing, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) said on Tuesday, with Oman appointing a drug liaison officer in Islamabad.

The development comes months after Islamabad hosted the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council (Pak-GCC) Counter-Narcotics Conference, marking the first-ever formal assembly of anti-narcotics leadership from Pakistan and all six GCC member states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait along with special observers from Italy.

For years, drug traffickers have exploited geographical and technological loopholes, using Pakistan as a transit hub and GCC nations as lucrative markets, according to the ANF. Despite ongoing efforts, the scale of smuggling seizures continues to expand, with traffickers now leveraging the dark web, cryptocurrency, and synthetic drug manufacturing to evade law enforcement agencies.

“During the conference, the Director-General of Narcotics of the Sultanate of Oman announced the appointment of drug liaison officer in Pakistan,” the ANF said in a statement.

“Acting on this decision, Mr. Suleiman Al-Hanai has been appointed as Oman’s first Drug Liaison Officer in Pakistan who has assumed his official responsibilities in Islamabad.”

The announcement signals a new phase in relations between the two countries as they align their efforts in the global war on drugs, according to the ANF. The appointment reflects a shared commitment by Pakistan and Oman to safeguard their societies and promote a drug-free environment across the Gulf and South Asian regions.

In recent years, the ANF has successfully intercepted tones of illicit drugs, dismantled trafficking rings through road, border, dry port, airport and sea routes, and strengthened global relationships. With its advanced intelligence capabilities and strategic operations, the ANF has intensified collaboration with GCC security agencies, ensuring that traffickers find no safe passage between these regions.

In June 2024, the ANF also stepped up its international cooperation against drug trafficking through a workshop backed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, uniting national, regional and global agencies to strengthen data-sharing and coordination.

Topics: Anti Narcotics Force Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council Drug trafficing

Pakistan stocks see strong recovery as Iran-Israel ceasefire reports boost investor sentiment

Updated 24 June 2025
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Pakistan stocks see strong recovery as Iran-Israel ceasefire reports boost investor sentiment

  • US President Donald Trump said Monday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ‘complete’ ceasefire to be phased in over 24 hours
  • Analyst says the momentum is likely to continue, with valuations still shy of a long-term mean and due to market-friendly budget
Updated 24 June 2025
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday witnessed a strong recovery amid a reported ceasefire between Israel and Iran, traders and analysts said.

On Monday, United States (US) President Donald Trump said on social media that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to be phased in over 24 hours.

The benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 6,079 points, or 5.23 percent, to close at 122,246 points on Tuesday afternoon, compared to the previous day’s close of 116,167 points.

“Stocks closed near all-time high after Iran, Israel agreed to a ceasefire receding fears of escalation in the Middle East tensions,” Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation told Arab News.

“Upbeat economic data on cement sales for Jul-May’25, bull run in global equities and receding fears over high inflation, impact on exports for supply disruptions over Middle East conflict played a catalyst role in the record bullish close.”

Raza Jafri, head of research at Intermarket Securities Ltd., attributed the momentum to reduction in international oil prices along with settling regional tensions.

In volatile trading on Tuesday, crude futures slumped more than five percent after Trump’s declaration of the Iran-Israel ceasefire.

“With valuations still shy of a long-term mean and Pakistan having recently unveiled a market-friendly budget, bullish momentum is expected to continue,” Jafri added.

On Monday, Pakistan’s stocks and currency markets had tumbled as investors reacted to the US foray into the Israel-Iran conflict a day earlier.

Monday’s 3.2 percent fall to 116,167 points was the worst since May 8, when the index had plunged 5.9 percent day-on-day during the India-Pakistan military standoff.

Topics: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Pakistan’s stock market Iran Israel conflict Ceasefire

Pakistan reaches out to key allies amid ‘serious escalation’ in Middle East tensions

Updated 24 June 2025
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Pakistan reaches out to key allies amid ‘serious escalation’ in Middle East tensions

  • PM meets envoys of China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar as Iran-Israel conflict risks wider regional war
  • Iran fired missiles at US base in Qatar on Monday, triggering fears of escalation despite ceasefire call
Updated 24 June 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday met with the ambassadors of Pakistan’s key allies China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in Islamabad, as the foreign office expressed concern over a “serious escalation” in Middle East tensions.

Sharif’s meetings with the envoys took place a day after Iran launched missiles against a US air base in Qatar on Monday, causing no casualties, in retaliation for the US dropping 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Iranian underground nuclear facilities over the weekend. Hours later, US President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement of an Israel-Iran ceasefire agreement, suggesting he may have bombed Tehran’s rulers back to the negotiating table.

Tensions have remained high since June 13, when Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities and targeted senior military leadership. Iran has since retaliated with repeated missile strikes against Israel, raising fears of a wider regional conflict and prompting international calls for restraint.

“Pakistan expresses its deep concern and alarm at the serious escalation in the security situation in the region as a result of attacks against USA’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement on Tuesday, urging all sides to exercise restraint and respect fundamental principles of international law.

On Monday morning, Sharif held separate meetings with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Qatari envoy Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater.

“Pakistan will continue to work closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy” the PM said on his X account. 

Sharif also met Qatari envoy Al-Khater to express solidarity with the Gulf country following Iran’s attack on the air base.

In the afternoon, the premier met China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, who, according to a statement from Sharif’s office, “lauded the proactive and positive role being played by Pakistan at every diplomatic forum, including at the UN Security Council, for a peaceful settlement of the [Middle East] crisis through dialogue and diplomacy.” 

China has sought to expand its diplomatic footprint in the Middle East in recent years and notably brokered the Saudi Arabia–Iran rapprochement in 2023, which boosted its credibility as a regional peacemaker. It has also offered to help mediate the current crisis, though it plays a more behind-the-scenes role compared to the US or regional states like Qatar or Oman.

Pakistan has condemned Israel’s strikes against Iran and repeatedly called for de-escalation in the region.

Islamabad has also offered diplomatic support to Tehran at international forums and defended Iran’s right to respond to Israeli and US aggression under the UN Charter, carefully balancing this stance with its close security cooperation and economic partnership with the United States, a major backer of Israel.

The US and Israel say their goal is to cripple Tehran’s nuclear program. 

Topics: Iran Israel conflict Iran attack on US bases Qatar

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia seek to deepen parliamentary cooperation during ongoing visit of Shoura Council 

Updated 24 June 2025
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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia seek to deepen parliamentary cooperation during ongoing visit of Shoura Council 

  • Both sides agree to promote parliamentary exchanges and share legislative experience
  • Parliamentary exchanges are seen as vital to deepen political and legislative partnerships
Updated 24 June 2025
Usama Iqbal Khawaja

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly on Tuesday formally welcomed a high-level delegation of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council as the two countries seek to deepen parliamentary cooperation.

The visit is one among many recent efforts to strengthen political, defense and economic links between the longtime allies, who already share robust trade and security partnerships and close cultural ties. Saudi Arabia hosts over two million Pakistani expatriates and has long been a key source of financial support for Islamabad, including during recent economic crises and through workers’ remittances. 

“During the National Assembly Budget Session 2025, Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, along with Members of the National Assembly, extended a warm welcome to the high-level parliamentary delegation of the Pak-Saudi Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Saudi Shoura Council present in the Speaker’s Gallery,” the National Assembly said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

The Saudi delegation, led by Major General (Retd.) Dr. Abdulrahman bin Sanhat Al-Harbi, chairman of the Saudi-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Committee, includes Dr. Iman bint Abdulaziz Al-Jabreen and Engineer Salem bin Ali Al-Shahrani, both members of the Shoura Council.

The delegation held separate meetings with Speaker Sadiq and other Pakistani parliamentarians earlier, during which both sides agreed to promote parliamentary exchanges and share legislative experience.

“The Pak-Saudi Friendship Group established in the National Assembly is playing an important role in promoting harmony between the parliaments of the two countries,” Speaker Sadiq said in an earlier statement.

“Exchanges of parliamentary delegations will give the parliamentarians of both countries an opportunity to benefit from each other’s experiences.”

Dr. Al-Harbi said Saudi Arabia attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan and reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to working together for peace and development in the region.

Frequent visits by parliamentary delegations complement high-level diplomatic and ministerial interactions between the two nations and are seen as a way to pave the ground for greater people-to-people contacts and new Saudi investments in Pakistan’s energy, mining and infrastructure sectors.

The visit also comes amid Islamabad’s efforts to attract foreign investment and strengthen partnerships with Gulf countries to stabilize its struggling economy.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Arabia ties

Pakistan national carrier resumes flight operations to Gulf countries amid Iran-Israel ceasefire

Updated 24 June 2025
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Pakistan national carrier resumes flight operations to Gulf countries amid Iran-Israel ceasefire

  • PIA suspended flights to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and UAE on Monday night after Iran attacked US air base in Doha
  • Iran’s missile attack was in response to American strikes that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend
Updated 24 June 2025
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistan’s national carrier announced on Tuesday it has resumed its flight operations for Gulf countries, which it had suspended following Iran’s missile attack on a United States (US) air base in Qatar a day earlier, as a fragile ceasefire between Tehran and Tel Aviv takes hold. 

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suspended its flights to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday night after Iran confirmed it had attacked American forces stationed at Qatar’s Al-Udeid air base. 

PIA said it had limited its flight operations as a precautionary measure due to the ongoing situation in the Gulf region, where tensions have been high since June 13 after Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership, triggering a military conflict between both sides. 

“PIA Flight Operations for Gulf/KSA have resumed,” a PIA spokesperson said in a statement. 

Sharing details of the flights, the spokesperson said PIA’s PK-245 flight departed from Islamabad for Dammam at 12:30 p.m. after a delay of 15 hours while the airline’s PK-743 Karachi to Madinah flight, which was diverted due to the closure of the airspace on Monday, departed at 1:30 p.m. after a delay of 14.5 hours. 

The spokesperson shared that PK-713 flight from Lahore to Madinah also departed at 1:30 p.m. after a delay of seven hours while PK-209 Sialkot to Sharjah flight departed at 1:30 p.m. after a delay of 15 hours.

“In addition, flight PK-221 from Multan to Dubai, flight PK-251 from Sialkot to Doha, flight PK-761 from Karachi to Jeddah, and flight PK-261 from Islamabad to Abu Dhabi also departed at 1:30 pm,” the spokesperson said. 

Due to the delayed departure of these flights, those returning home will also be delayed, he clarified. 

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused to passengers, however, the decision to restrict operations last night was taken in accordance with air safety principles,” the spokesperson said.

Iran’s response came a day after the US launched a surprise attack Sunday morning on three of Iran’s nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.

US President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s missile attack as a “weak response,” calling for peace in the Middle East. Hours later on Tuesday, the US president announced both Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire. 

The military conflict between Iran and Israel began on June 13 when the former attacked the latter’s nuclear facilities, alleging Tehran is close to building an atomic weapon. Iran has dismissed Israel’s allegations and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Topics: Pakistan airspace Pakistani Airlines International flights

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