UAE leaders send congratulations to Pakistan on 79th Independence Day
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other UAE leaders congratulate Pakistani counterparts as the nation marks 79 years since gaining freedom from British rule in 1947.
UAE leaders send congratulations to Pakistan on 79th Independence Day
Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent congratulatory messages to President Asif Ali Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Thursday as the country celebrated its 79th Independence Day.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also extended similar greetings to President Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
Pakistan gained independence from British rule on August 14, 1947, when Muhammad Ali Jinnah, known as Quaid-e-Azam (Great Leader) and the nation's founder, took the oath as its first Governor-General. The occasion is marked annually with flag-hoisting ceremonies, military parades in Islamabad, cultural programs and speeches by national leaders.
Strong bilateral partnership
The diplomatic messages reflect the depth of UAE-Pakistan relations, which have seen sustained high-level engagement in recent months. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan traveled to Pakistan in December 2025, while President Zardari visited the UAE in January 2026. During these visits, both countries reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
The partnership is underpinned by substantial people-to-people connections, with approximately 1.8 million Pakistani expatriates living and working in the UAE. This community represents the second largest national group in the country after Indians, constituting around 12.5 percent of the UAE's total population.
Growing economic ties
Economic relations between the two nations continue to strengthen. Bilateral trade exceeded $10.1 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, marking a 20.24 percent increase and establishing the UAE as Pakistan's third-largest trading partner after China and the United States. Non-oil trade alone surpassed $8.6 billion in 2024.
The UAE has invested more than $10 billion in Pakistan over the past two decades, making it one of the largest investors in the country. These investments span telecommunications, banking, real estate, and oil and gas sectors.
Remittances from Pakistani expatriates in the UAE reached $8.8 billion in 2026, representing a 13 percent increase and making the UAE one of the largest sources of remittances for Pakistan's economy.
Institutional cooperation framework
The 12th UAE-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission was held recently, during which officials from both countries discussed enhanced collaboration in trade, investment, food security, aviation, information technology and energy. The commission serves as the primary institutional mechanism for coordinating bilateral initiatives and addressing strategic priorities in the relationship.
