In partnership with
Profit
PAKISTAN, UAE VOW TO BOOST TRADE AND STRATEGIC COOPERATION DURING MBZ’S OFFICIAL VISIT Saturday, 27 December, 2025 | 6 Rajabul Murajjab, 1447
g
g
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 172 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
g PM SHEHBAZ, PRESIDENT SHEIKH BOTH SIDES UNDERSCORE IMPORTANCE MOHAMED EXPLORE WAYS TO DEEPEN OF ENHANCING COLLABORATION IN ENGAGEMENT ACROSS MULTIPLE SECTORS ECONOMIC COOPERATION
ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE NEED TO BOOST BILATERAL TRADE, NOTING ITS STRONG POTENTIAL FOR MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL GROWTH
g
TWO LEADERS EXCHANGE VIEWS ON KEY REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
pakistan releases special welcome song for uae president’s maiden official visit ISLAMABAD
staff report
P
ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
AKISTAN and the United Arab Emirates on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination on matters of mutual interest and stressed the need to expand bilateral trade during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first official visit to Pakistan. President Sheikh Mohamed arrived in Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and was accorded a warm welcome, with JF-17 fighter jets escorting his aircraft as it entered Pakistani airspace. He was received at Nur Khan Airbase
by Prime Minister Shehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with senior cabinet members and government officials. The national anthems of both countries were played, a 21-gun salute was fired, and an honour guard lined up to salute the UAE president. Military and traditional bands delivered ceremonial performances, while groups of children waving the flags of both nations lined the route. The UAE president was also presented with a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Armed Forces.
The Government of Pakistan released a special welcome song on Friday to mark the first official visit of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the country. The song features footage of the UAE president’s arrival, his ceremonial reception, and interactions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including handshakes and a brief embrace. Children presenting flowers to the visiting leader are also shown, adding a symbolic gesture of goodwill. Titled around the refrain “Ahlan wa Sahlan, Marhaba,” the song is intended to reflect the hospitality, respect, and affection extended by the people of Pakistan to the visiting dignitary. Officials said the initiative highlights the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and the UAE, emphasizing the mutual Children dressed in traditional attire welcomed President Al Nahyan, holding the national flags of Pakistan and the UAE, adding colour to the reception ceremony. The UAE president’s delegation comprised his advisers, Sheikh Sultan
pM to decide on talks after pti clarifies stance: Rana Sanaullah ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Friday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would decide on initiating talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) once the opposition party clearly states its position on negotiations. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz offered talks with the opposition, stressing that dialogue could only take place on “legitimate matters”. While the PTI rejected the offer on the instructions of party founder Imran Khan, the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) — an opposition alliance that includes the PTI — expressed willingness to negotiate. Speaking in a TV talk show, Sanaullah said that around 85 per cent of TTAP members belonged to the PTI, who had already declared they would not take part in talks. He said the remaining opposition is comprised of TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Jamiat Ulemae-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana
Fazlur Rehman. “We are hopeful that either the entire opposition comes to the table or at least the 15 per cent that is willing to engage,” he said, reiterating that dialogue remained the government’s priority. However, Sanaullah expressed reservations about talks with the PTI, alleging that the party pursued parallel strategies of negotiation and confrontation. “On one hand, they talk about sitting at the table, while on the other they plan street agitation and marches,” he said, warning that any attempt to spread unrest would be dealt with according to the law. He added that once the PTI clarified its stance, Prime Minister Shehbaz would decide whether to form a negotiation committee or meet opposition leaders directly. Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister’s aide on information and public relations Shafiullah Jan reiterated the PTI’s refusal to engage in talks with the current government, saying the party wanted a result-oriented process rather than unconditional negotiations. Jan said Imran Khan had as-
signed responsibility for talks to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. He said drafts discussed during the recent TTAP conference made it clear that negotiations would not begin without conditions. He said the demands included fresh elections under a new Election Commission of Pakistan, the release of Imran Khan, and the release of senior PTI leaders and family members. Jan added that Achakzai had full authority to decide on negotiations, protests or other political actions, and that the PTI would support whatever course of action he chose. He also said the party was preparing a street movement, adding that negotiation and mobilisation could run in parallel. Calls for dialogue have grown amid Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis. During a recent TTAP national conference, opposition leaders agreed that the door to dialogue should remain open in a democracy and stressed the need for a new Charter of Democracy.
pakistan lodges demarche with uK over threats to Field Marshal asim Munir ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
The Foreign Office on Friday said it had issued a demarche to the United Kingdom’s envoy in Islamabad over threats made against Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Bradford. FO spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that the UK Acting Head of Mission Matt Cannell was formally handed the demarche — a diplomatic protest — regarding the former ruling party’s overseas event. According to the Foreign Office, a video uploaded by the “UKPTIOFFICIAL” account shows a woman speaker at the protest making a violent threat involving a car bomb against Field Marshal Munir. The remarks were likened to the plane explosion that killed former president General Zia ul Haq nearly three decades ago. The FO said Pakistan had conveyed its serious concerns to the British authorities and expected appropriate action under UK law. Meanwhile, two Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) ministers of state said on Friday that the federal government has formally written to British authorities, seeking action over what it described as inciteful statements made in a video circulating on social media. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani told media that the video contained a threat against the head
of Pakistan’s armed forces. While Kayani directly named the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) in connection with the incident, Chaudhry refrained from identifying any political party. The video shows a woman making violent remarks without naming an individual, saying someone should be “blown up in a car.” She is seen surrounded by people holding PTI flags. Commenting on the matter, Chaudhry said Pakistan had formally approached the UK government and expected action in accordance with British law and the justice system. He said the state had the right to pursue legal action against individuals targeting its institutions. He added that complaints had previously been raised regarding the use of social media platforms to incite hatred against state institutions and political figures, noting that video evidence of the incident was available. “This is neither a political issue nor a matter of freedom of speech,” Chaudhry said, adding that such statements constituted a violation of international law and British legislation, particularly the UK’s Terrorism Act 2006. He stressed that states are responsible for ensuring that their citizens, asylum seekers or residents do not incite violence or rebellion against other sovereign nations. Chaudhry said the explicit reference to a car bomb made the threat targeted and concerning, suggesting it appeared carefully planned. “Inciting terrorism or provoking violence cannot be termed freedom of expression,” he said, expressing hope that the British government would take action.
respect and cooperation that underpin bilateral relations at both governmental and public levels. The release of the welcome song coincides with Sheikh Mohamed’s high-level visit, which aims to strengthen collaboration across key sectors and reinforce ties of political, economic, and cultural cooperation between the two countries. The Pakistani leadership has emphasized that the visit represents an opportunity to further enhance diplomatic engagement, explore avenues for trade and investment, and consolidate ongoing partnerships in areas including energy, infrastructure, and technology. Officials noted that the welcome song serves both as a symbolic gesture and a public demonstration of the cordial relations between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi, highlighting the significance of the UAE’s strategic partnership for Pakistan’s regional and international engagement.
bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, and UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi.
Continued on page 03
Record development projects completed during PML- N Govt tenure: Engr Amir Muqam PESHAWAR
staff Correspondent
Federal Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Engr Amir Muqam on Friday said that PML-N was the only political party whose tenures witnessed record completion of development projects across the country, along with significant improvement in Pakistan’s economic stability and diplomatic standing. Addressing a political gathering in Mardan on the occasion of prominent politician Malik Bashir joining PML-N along with his supporters, Engr Amir Muqam welcomed the new entrants and said their decision reflected confidence in the leadership of PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. He said that whether it was the network of motorways, Danish Schools System, universities or hospitals, every sector experienced remarkable progress during PML-N governments that brought positive changes in people lives. He added that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made Pakistan a nuclear power, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif successfully steered the country away from economic collapse after poor policies of PTI Govt during 2018-2022. Engr Amir Muqam recalled that despite alleged rigging and the shutdown of the Results Transmission System (RTS) during the 2018 general elections, then Opposition Leader Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had offered dialogue to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on key national issues, including the economy and eradication of terrorism. However, he said PTI failed to respond positively and avoided dialogue. Criticizing PTI’s performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said that despite over 12 years in power, the party failed to provide relief to the people. He added that public problems increased while education and health sectors suffered due to illplanned experiments. He said that development in KP was limited to social media claims, while PTI leadership remained focused on Adiala Jail instead of governance and combating corruption. Engr Amir Muqam stated that the people of KP were now seeking change due to PTI’s poor performance and were joining PML-N in large numbers.