UAE president speaks with Shehbaz, lauds Pakistan’s peace efforts

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a “warm and cordial” telephone conversation with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister Office (PMO) said on Wednesday.

According to the PMO statement, the prime minister conveyed profound gratitude for UAE’s diplomatic efforts and constructive role to defuse the recent crisis in South Asia.

Shehbaz Sharif also acknowledged that the UAE had always stood by Pakistan, through thick and thin.

He said that Pakistan desired peace in South Asia, and in this spirit, had agreed to the ceasefire understanding with India.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to uphold the understanding, as well as its iron resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.

The prime minister also made it clear that Pakistan would never permit the sanctity of the Indus Waters Treaty to be challenged.

He affirmed the warm, close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and the UAE and recalled with great satisfaction that during the last one year, bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries was progressing well, especially in the areas of economy and investment.

The premier renewed his strong resolve to transform the existing Pakistan-UAE ties into a mutually beneficial economic partnership.

The UAE President welcomed the ceasefire understanding, while appreciating Pakistan’s efforts for peace. He said the UAE supported maintenance of peace and stability in South Asia.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister held a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres for the third time in the last two weeks.

During the call, he expressed concerns over the continued provocative and inflammatory remarks by Indian leadership, as a threat to the fragile regional peace.

He emphasized that the just resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, was imperative to ensuring durable peace in South Asia, while urging the Secretary General to play his role in its just resolution.

Additionally, the prime minister also received Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon.

During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his profound gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, as well as the brotherly people of Azerbaijan for their unwavering solidarity with and support to Pakistan during the recent tensions in South Asia. “This was reflective of the abiding friendship between the two nations.”