As part of the visit, the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Bhutto, is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting with his counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This information was conveyed by the Foreign Office Spokesperson in a recent press statement. The meeting aims to address various matters of mutual interest and discuss ways to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, is set to embark on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to engage in discussions concerning bilateral relations. A meeting between Bilawal Bhutto and his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is scheduled during the visit, with both sides expected to cover various aspects of their countries’ relationship.
As part of his visit to Dubai, Bilawal Bhutto will participate in the unveiling ceremony of a wax figure of his late mother, former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, at Madame Tussauds.
The UAE has been supportive as a donor nation amid Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis. Back in January, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) extended a helping hand by rolling over their $2 billion deposit with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), offering some much-needed relief to Pakistan’s financial challenges.
Earlier this month, Elizabeth Horst, the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, stated that there are no quick solutions to Pakistan’s economic problems.
Meanwhile, Pakistan faces substantial external debt servicing obligations for the current month of July 2023. These include sizeable amounts owed to China, with some debts in the process of negotiation for rollover. Additionally, Pakistan also needs to repay loans to Saudi Arabia, France, and Japan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously discussed the rollover of existing loans and the provision of an additional $1 billion loan with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan during his earlier visit to the UAE.
