The Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, reviewed on Friday the preparations for the next twelfth session of the Joint Ministerial Commission of Pakistan-EAA (JMC) that will be held in Abu Dhabi, said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The twelfth session of PAK-UAE JMC is held after a 13-year pause after the 11th session was scheduled in October 2024. The 11th session was held in Islamabad from November 6 to 7, 2013.
“Giving presided over a high -level meeting that discussed advance in key bilateral initiatives, formalizing collaboration in existing sectors, exploring new roads for cooperation and attracting investments from the EAU mutually beneficial in priority areas,” said the declaration of FO.
“The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to strengthen Pak-Uuae’s economic and commercial relations.”
The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretaries of Economic Affairs, Commerce, Maritime Affairs, Interior, Interprovincial Coordination, National Heritage and Health, along with senior officials of ministries and relevant departments, and special assistant Tariq Bajwa.
The EAU is the third largest commercial partner in Pakistan after China and the United States, is home to more than one million Pakistani expatriates, and is the second largest remittance source for the country in southern Asia after Saudi Arabia.
The Pakistan ambassador to the EAU Faisal Tirmizi earlier this year said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and the EAU exceeded US $ 10.9 billion in fiscal year 2023–24, including goods and services.
The envoy also revealed that the remittances of the Pakistani community in the United Arab Emirates reached $ 6.7 billion in 2024. He pointed out that during the period from July 2024 to January 2025, the merchandise trade increased 21.63 percent, with Pakistan exports that grew by 7.53 percent, which indicates a sustained impulse in the economic commitment.
According to Ambassador Tirmizi, the trade of goods in 2023–24 reached $ 8.41 billion, with Pakistan’s exports in 41.06PC to $ 2.08 billion, while Imports of the EAU decreased by 14.45PC to $ 6.33 billion, resulting in a reduction of 28.28 PC in the commercial deficit. In the service sector, total trade was $ 2.56 billion, marking an interannual increase of 20.54 per year.
He added that there were 19 Emirati companies that currently operated in Pakistan and that the EAU had significantly invested in key sectors such as communications, services, tourism, information technology, oil and gas, housing, banking and real estate.
A day before, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the president and ruler of the EAU of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed al Nahyan during his official visit to the Gulf State, where he discussed issues of bilateral and regional interest.
The high -level commitment was aimed at reaffirming Pakistan’s gratitude to the friendly nations that supported Islamabad’s position during their recent confrontation with New Delhi.
Prime Minister Shehbaz transmitted his sincere gratitude to the leadership of the EAU for his “constructive role” to help calm tensions during the recent conflict between Pakistan and India. He appreciated the positive role of the EAU in the promotion of peace, dialogue and stability in the region.
The tensions exploded after what Islamabad called a “false flag operation” of India in the mountainous city of Pahalgam. Following the incident, both countries carried out missiles and air attacks. According to Pakistan’s army, India lost six airplanes in the exchange, including a Rafale combat plane.
According to the office of the Prime Minister, the meeting stressed the deep fraternal relationships between Pakistan and the EAU, based on mutual trust, shared values and a history of close cooperation.
The two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and global problems of mutual interest, and reaffirmed their commitment to further improve collaboration in key areas.
Both parties expressed satisfaction about the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and continuous commitments at all levels. The leaders agreed to maintain a close coordination and continue working together to advance the shared objectives of regional peace and prosperity.
