Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif in UAE for Strategic Talks
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has landed in the United Arab Emirates for a high-level one-day official visit, aiming to strengthen economic cooperation, secure investment, and deepen regional strategic ties. The visit comes at a pivotal moment as Pakistan recovers from recent military tensions and seeks Gulf support to stabilize its economy and geopolitical standing.
Economic Diplomacy and Investment Agenda
Sharif’s visit follows the UAE’s announcement in May 2024 of a $10 billion investment pledge for key sectors in Pakistan. During this trip, both sides are expected to revisit and activate earlier $3 billion worth of cooperation agreements, with potential expansions in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and fintech.
The UAE is home to over 1.5 million Pakistani workers and remains a major source of remittances, with inflows crossing $750 million in May 2025 alone. These economic ties form a cornerstone of bilateral relations, which Sharif aims to reinforce amid Pakistan’s ongoing reform commitments under the $7 billion IMF bailout program.
Strategic Realignment Amid Regional Tensions
This visit takes place against the backdrop of heightened regional instability. Just a month earlier, Pakistan was engaged in a four-day conflict with India between May 7 and 10, involving the largest exchange of drones, missiles, and artillery fire since the 1971 war. The conflict drew in international mediation efforts, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia acting as behind-the-scenes interlocutors alongside the United States.
Sharif’s meeting with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is therefore expected to include discussions on regional security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint counter-terrorism frameworks.
Strengthening Pakistan-Gulf Strategic Relations
Beyond economic ties, the visit symbolizes Pakistan’s broader effort to strategically align with Gulf states. In recent years, Islamabad has sought to position itself as a vital geopolitical bridge—leveraging its role in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its diplomatic weight in the Islamic world.
Sharif’s recurring engagements with Gulf leaders highlight Islamabad’s dependency on UAE and Saudi Arabia for both economic bailouts and international legitimacy. Strengthened cooperation in trade, energy connectivity, and defense coordination are likely outcomes of this visit.
