Members of United Arab Emirates and Pakistan delegation pose for photograhps in Islamabad.

The inaugural session of Pakistan-United Arab Emirates Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) was convened in Islamabad on March 2.

Ambassador Khalifa Shaheen Khalifa Almarar, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation and Political Affairs, led the UAE delegation. The Pakistan delegation was led by Additional Secretary (Middle East), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Khalid H. Memon.

The consultations centred on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations including political, economic, commercial, security, consular and people-to-people ties.

The two sides reviewed the progress achieved so far in implementing Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directive to transform Pakistan-UAE relations into a “Long-Term Strategic Economic Partnership” and identified steps to translate this vision into concrete actions.

Both sides agreed that the BPC provided a useful mechanism for regular, in-depth exchange of views on all issues of common interest. To further deepen existing friendly ties, it was decided to enhance the momentum of bilateral exchanges and high level visits.

Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador Khalifa Shaheen Khalifa Almarar also paid a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood.

The UAE and Pakistan have long-standing fraternal ties, anchored on mutual goodwill and close cooperation. The BPC with the UAE was another step to reinforce the growing bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

An earlier report said the ties between the UAE and Pakistan are based on a strong common vision and stance, which have helped reinforce their strategic partnership in the areas of politics, the economy and society.

Since the establishment of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, the UAE has been keen to develop its overall relations with Pakistan. Since the era of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, it has provided the Pakistani people with all forms of support, to help them overcome their challenges and achieve overall sustainable development.

Around 1.6 million Pakistanis are working in the UAE in the industrial, agricultural and investment sectors.

The UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme, UAE PAP, which was launched in 2011, aims to help the Pakistani people overcome the effects of destructive floods that hit their country in 2010. This project represents progress in supporting the development and stability of Pakistan.

In January 2019, the administration of UAE PAP began implementing 40 development and humanitarian projects in Pakistan, under the framework of the third phase of the project worth Dhs736 million ($200 million), funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.