United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is arriving in Islamabad on Friday on his first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office, marking an important milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries.
Read More: UAE president due in Pakistan tomorrow
Although this is his second visit to Pakistan in 2025 — having met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Rahim Yar Khan in January — the Foreign Office (FO) clarified that this is his first official visit as president of the UAE.
The District Administration Islamabad has declared Friday, 26th December 2025 as a local holiday within the revenue limits of the Islamabad
All essential services, including hospitals, police, ICT administration, CDA, and utility services, will remain operational. pic.twitter.com/Hn6cck8iGG— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) December 24, 2025
#PHOTOS: Streets in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad light up in celebration on Thursday ahead of UAE president’s first official visit to the country. https://t.co/kna4FVomWs pic.twitter.com/MujxCilY2e
— Arab News Pakistan (@arabnewspk) December 25, 2025
According to an FO statement, President Al Nahyan will hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which both leaders will review the full spectrum of bilateral relations. They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
“The visit will provide an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates,” the FO said, adding that it reflects the depth of ties between the two nations and their shared commitment to expanding cooperation.
The discussions are expected to focus on enhancing collaboration in key areas such as trade, investment, energy, development and regional stability. Both sides are also likely to explore new avenues for economic engagement and strategic partnership.
In connection with the visit, the Islamabad district administration has declared a local public holiday in the federal capital. A notification issued by the magistrate’s office said that Dec 26 had been declared a holiday within the revenue limits of the Islamabad Capital Territory.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, who shared the notification on X, clarified that essential services — including hospitals, police, city administration, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and utility services — would remain operational.
Pakistan and the UAE enjoy close diplomatic, economic and cultural relations, underpinned by historical ties and a large Pakistani expatriate community in the Emirates. The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a major source of remittances.
Read More: Sheikh Mohamed to strengthen Pakistan–UAE ties on Dec 26
Earlier this year, both countries signed multiple memoranda of understanding covering cooperation in culture, consular affairs and the establishment of a UAE-Pakistan Joint Business Council, underscoring their intent to further deepen bilateral engagement.