Staff Reporter

LAHORE: Pakistan on Saturday rejected &ldquo;misleading and unfounded commentary&rdquo; surrounding financial deposits from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), asserting that the return of matured funds is a routine, agreed-upon financial transaction between the two countries. The clarification comes amid renewed attention to UAE deposits that have supported Pakistan&rsquo;s external financing position in recent years. The funds, placed with the State Bank of Pakistan since 2019, have been periodically rolled over and form part of broader arrangements with key partners to help maintain foreign exchange reserves as part of ongoing economic stabilization efforts. In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the deposits were placed &ldquo;under bilateral commercial agreements,&rdquo; reflecting the UAE&rsquo;s continued support for Pakistan&rsquo;s economic stability. &ldquo;Accordingly, pursuant to mutually agreed terms, the Government of Pakistan, through the SBP, is now returning the matured deposits to the UAE,&rdquo; the spokesperson said, adding, &ldquo;This is a routine financial transaction, and any attempt to portray it otherwise is erroneous and misleading.&rdquo; The remarks follow media reports speculating that Islamabad is set to return up to $3.5 billion to the UAE, raising concerns over potential pressure on foreign exchange reserves and the broader external financing outlook. Earlier, the Ministry of Finance also addressed the issue, stating that &ldquo;the Government of Pakistan is continuously monitoring and managing Pakistan&rsquo;s external flows in order to ensure stable foreign exchange reserves,&rdquo; while reaffirming its commitment to meeting all external obligations. The Foreign Office underscored that financial arrangements between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi should be viewed within the broader framework of longstanding bilateral cooperation, rather than through speculative interpretations. &ldquo;Pakistan and the UAE share a longstanding, fraternal partnership built on trust and strategic cooperation across trade, investment, defence, and people-to-people ties,&rdquo; the statement said. Reaffirming the strength of ties, the ministry highlighted the historic role of the UAE&rsquo;s founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, noting that the people of Pakistan &ldquo;warmly cherish&rdquo; his contributions in fostering close relations between the two nations. The Foreign Office further stressed that the relationship &ldquo;has stood the test of time&rdquo; and continues to deepen across multiple sectors. &ldquo;Pakistan remains fully committed to further strengthening this enduring relationship for a shared, prosperous future,&rdquo; the spokesperson added.

Economy

Islamabad says it is ‘now returning matured’ UAE deposits under agreed terms, calling the process routine, dismissing speculation as misleading, and reaffirming strong bilateral ties alongside continued commitment to external financial stability.

Pakistan rejects UAE deposit speculation, terms repayment routine transaction

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) visited injured Pakistani nationals receiving treatment in Abu Dhabi after missile debris linked to the ongoing regional conflict caused casualties among expatriates in the Gulf state. According to a statement posted on X by the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan visited Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and met Pakistanis injured during recent aerial interception incidents. &ldquo;Shafqat Ali Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE visited Sheikh Shakhbout Hospital and met injured Pakistani nationals receiving treatment. He wished them a speedy recovery, appreciated the hospital administration for their care, and lauded the UAE government&rsquo;s commitment to providing top-tier medical care to all affected residents,&rdquo; the embassy said. The embassy also announced new outreach measures for the Pakistani diaspora in the Emirates as the regional conflict continues to affect civilians across the Gulf. &ldquo;The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi has launched an online registration form for the Pakistani Community residing in the UAE for the sake of Facilitation and outreach,&rdquo; it said in a separate post. The visit comes days after the Dubai Media Office confirmed that a Pakistani driver was killed when debris from an aerial interception struck a vehicle in Dubai&rsquo;s Al Barsha district late Saturday night. The Pakistani mission said its consulate in Dubai was working with local authorities to support the victim&rsquo;s family and arrange repatriation. &ldquo;We are profoundly saddened to confirm that a Pakistani national lost his life yesterday in Dubai&rsquo;s Al Barsha area due to falling debris following the interception of an incoming missile,&rdquo; the embassy said earlier, adding that officials were in direct contact with authorities to facilitate assistance. The death marked the second Pakistani fatality in the United Arab Emirates since the regional war erupted following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have triggered missile and drone attacks on American bases across parts of the Gulf and heightened risks to civilian areas. UAE authorities earlier confirmed that another Pakistani national, Mureed Zaman from Bannu in Pakistan&rsquo;s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was killed when debris from an intercepted missile fell on a residential area in Abu Dhabi. He had been working in the Emirates for nearly eight years supporting his family back home. The UAE government expressed condolences over the deaths and reiterated that &ldquo;the targeting of civilians and civilian objects is unequivocally condemned and strictly prohibited under international law and humanitarian principles.&rdquo;

Foreign Affairs

Islamabad’s diplomatic mission says officials are assisting families of victims and injured nationals after missile interception debris incidents in the UAE, while launching a registration initiative to improve outreach and support for the Pakistani community.

Pakistani envoy visits injured nationals in UAE amid Iran war fallout

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;The Pakistan embassy in the UAE launched an online registration system on Monday to enhance coordination with its citizens living in the emirates as the escalating&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/no-us-troops-on-ground-in-iran-now-but-well-go-as-far-as-we-need-defense-secretary" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">conflict</a>&nbsp;between Iran, Israel, and the United States continues. The move follows a series of retaliatory strikes across the Persian Gulf that have claimed the life of at least one Pakistani national in Abu Dhabi. Emergency response measures The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai established 24-hour facilitation desks on Sunday to support the expatriate community. Officials encouraged all Pakistanis in the region to register through a new digital portal to ensure &quot;necessary support and coordination&quot; during the crisis. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 608px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2028355254497267834&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F4519%2F&sessionId=f3acbf03de11989d80aa5ca41fdf7613e1ac2b52&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The diplomatic mission said it remains &quot;fully engaged&quot; even as explosions were reported in Dubai and Doha for a third consecutive day. The outreach efforts come as the regional security situation deteriorates following the killing of Iran&rsquo;s supreme leader. Travel advisory issued Authorities have advised Pakistani nationals to avoid all non-mandatory travel to Iran. Those currently residing in Iran were instructed to exercise extreme caution, minimize movement, and maintain regular contact with Pakistani diplomatic missions. The conflict has expanded significantly, with <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-israel-strikes-iran-live-updates" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hezbollah launching</a> rocket barrages into Israel and Israeli forces conducting broad strikes on Tehran.

A plume of smoke rises from the Zayed Port following a reported Iranian strike in Abu Dhabi on March 1, 2026. (AFP)

Security

The embassy launches an emergency registration portal and 24-hour facilitation desks in the UAE to coordinate support, manage potential evacuations, and assist citizens stranded by the intensifying regional conflict.

Pakistan launches UAE registration system to protect citizens as ME conflict escalates

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s President Asif Ali Zardari met with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed ways to further deepen longstanding relations between the two countries.&nbsp; During the Pakistani president&#39;s official visit to the UAE, the two leaders reviewed &ldquo;a full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and explored new opportunities in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, technology, and people-to-people exchanges, highlighting the significant potential for expanding economic and strategic partnership.&rdquo;&nbsp; According to a press release issued by the Press Information Department, President Zardari highlighted the significance of the UAE rulers&#39; recent visit to Pakistan and expressed appreciation for the country&rsquo;s continued support for strengthening bilateral ties. &nbsp; &ldquo;Both sides also exchanged views on a range of regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development,&rdquo; the press release said.&nbsp; The meeting was also attended by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan People&rsquo;s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Pakistan&rsquo;s Ambassador to the UAE.

First Lady Aseefa, PPP chairman Bilawal, Interior Minister Naqvi, Pakistan’s UAE Ambassador also present in meeting; president highlights significance of UAE rulers' recent visit to Pakistan, expresses appreciation for the country’s continued support for strengthening bilateral ties.  

Pakistan, UAE presidents discuss trade, investment opportunities

ISLAMABAD: United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan on Friday for his first official visit since assuming office, holding talks with Pakistani leaders on bilateral relations and regional security, the Prime Minister&#39;s Office said. According to the statement, Al Nahyan arrived in Islamabad on December 26 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Upon entering Pakistani airspace, the presidential aircraft was escorted by Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets. Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, PM Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and senior cabinet members received the Emirati leader at the Nur Khan Airbase, Rawalpindi. The two leaders held a meeting in Islamabad, PM Sharif said in a Facebook post. &quot;The meeting focused on further strengthening the long-standing fraternal relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates,&quot; the statement stated. According to the statement, the two leaders reviewed progress in ongoing cooperation and explored possibilities for deeper engagement across various sectors The two sides underscored the importance of expanding collaboration in economic cooperation, investment, energy, infrastructure development, information technology and people-to-people exchanges, the statement said. They also agreed to enhance bilateral trade, which holds significant potential for mutual benefit, according to the statement. The leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination on matters of mutual interest, the statement said. &quot;The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and renewed their resolve to work together to achieve shared goals of peace, stability and sustainable development,&quot; the statement said. The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries and provide new momentum to their strategic partnership.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Pakistan Friday for his first official visit to discuss economic cooperation and regional security.

UAE President's maiden Pakistan trip targets stronger bilateral relations

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday extended &ldquo;heartfelt felicitations&rdquo; to the leadership and people of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the country&rsquo;s 54th National Day, praising the historic and enduring partnership between the two nations. Pakistan was the first country to recognize the UAE in 1971. The two nations maintain strong defense, trade, cultural, and people-to-people ties, and regularly participate in joint military exercises to enhance operational coordination and strategic cooperation. In a statement issued through the Press Information Department, the prime minister said Pakistan&rsquo;s relationship with the UAE rests on a &ldquo;strong foundation of shared religious and cultural values and unwavering mutual trust.&rdquo; He noted that the bond, first shaped by the UAE&rsquo;s founding president Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, had &ldquo;continued to flourish under the wise leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.&rdquo; PM Sharif said Pakistan and the UAE &ldquo;remain resolute in striving for achieving the common goals of peace and stability, development and prosperity, especially in the region and worldwide.&rdquo; He added that expanding cooperation in economic, trade, investment, and defense sectors would &ldquo;pave the way for the people of both countries,&rdquo; describing the warmth between their communities as proof of the &ldquo;mutual affection that exists on both sides.&rdquo; The prime minister also emphasized Pakistan&rsquo;s appreciation for UAE leadership, saying the Pakistani community in the Emirates &ldquo;continues to contribute positively to our mutual friendship.&rdquo; In a separate message reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), President Zardari extended his &ldquo;warmest congratulations&rdquo; to the UAE leadership and citizens, reaffirming that Pakistan &ldquo;greatly valued its historic and fraternal relationship&rdquo; with the Gulf nation. He said the two countries&rsquo; ties were &ldquo;anchored in common faith, mutual trust, generational rapport, and shared aspirations for peace and prosperity.&rdquo; President Zardari expressed confidence that growing cooperation in &ldquo;trade, investment, security, and defense&rdquo; would keep advancing shared objectives. He added that the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE &ldquo;serves as a vital bridge between our nations and remains a source of strength in our bilateral relations.&rdquo; &ldquo;Pakistan looks forward to further deepening this partnership and conveys its best wishes to the United Arab Emirates for continued peace, progress, and prosperity,&rdquo; he said.

President Zardari and PM Sharif congratulate the leadership and people of the UAE, reaffirming historic ties and pledging deeper cooperation in trade, investment, defense and regional stability.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan UAE ties"

Pakistan rejects UAE deposit speculation, terms repayment routine transaction

Pakistani envoy visits injured nationals in UAE amid Iran war fallout

Pakistan launches UAE registration system to protect citizens as ME conflict escalates

Pakistan, UAE presidents discuss trade, investment opportunities

UAE President's maiden Pakistan trip targets stronger bilateral relations

On UAE National Day, Pakistan reaffirms deep fraternal partnership