Marching onwards with confidence and faith

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, Moazzam Ahmad Khan says Pakistan-UAE relationship is embedded in mutual trust and affection. There are many new horizons to tap as economic and defence cooperation gets more deep-rooted and diversified. It is an indispensable relationship.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - Special to Khaleej Times
Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE Moazzam Ahmad Khan has a vision to serve the community. He is a practical person and believes in scaling new heights of success, as he works to further improve the time-tested relationship between the two countries. "It would be an understatement to say that sky is the limit in our bilateral ties. In fact, I believe there is a way to go beyond the skies, as the UAE and Pakistan cement their mutually beneficial partnership in the new era," the envoy remarked in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times.
Moazzam Khan said he visualises a promising future for both countries, and was all praise for the Founding Father of UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is deeply revered by the people of Pakistan as their true friend and benefactor. "Pakistan is highly indebted to the largesse of the UAE leadership for their unflinching support in both good times and bad," he remarked. The Pakistan envoy observed that the fraternity will live on for ages to come, and said that the relationship is now legendary in essence.
"The Year of Zayed is no less than a resolve for us, as well, to relive his illustrious legacy. The reason is simple: UAE's stability, prosperity and security is close to our heart," Khan observed.
On a note of content, the Pakistan's ambassador, who is widely acclaimed as "people's envoy" for his services in the social milieu, said, "I am quite satisfied with the tasks that I have been able to accomplish," adding that high-level visits between the two countries are in the offing to steer the relationship to new horizons.
He pointed out that some of the high-profile interactions over the last few months, including the visit of Pakistan army chief to Abu Dhabi, and the special interest that the UAE leadership had always evinced in Pakistan's development, as well as sojourns of Pakistan's defence and foreign ministers to Abu Dhabi. The envoy also spelt out the module of institutional interaction between the two countries, saying the recently held productive meeting of Pakistan-UAE Defence Consultative Committee, and similar such ventures are an indication of progress and vitality. 
Khan is an illustrious Foreign Service officer, and has served the country in several capacities. For him diplomacy is less about ceremonial gestures, as he believes in quantified progress whichever fort he holds. He had served as ambassador to The Netherlands, spokesperson for the Foreign Office from 2012-13, Director General Europe, D.G. Foreign Minister's Office, and also as consul in India and the US. But he considers his UAE posting as a landmark in his career, and wants to cement a relationship that is strategic and people-centric.
Talking about the UAE's role in Pakistan's development, the envoy appreciated the recent lifting of ban on poultry, and said that demand for Pakistani labour is on the rise. He pointed out a seminar held recently wherein Human Resource professionals and employers' representatives, as well as ministry officials, took stock of the situation, and agreed on a streamlined process of recruitment and other issues pertaining to the rights of expatriate workers.
He said that the UAE has expressed its interest in investing in several new projects, adding many landmark initiatives are in the pipeline. He said that his focus is on furthering bilateral trade, saying the current volume of activity is around $8.3 billion.
He was delighted to share that exports from Pakistan are finding new markets in the UAE, and more than 50 UAE companies visited Pakistan in 2017 to explore new avenues of trade activity. Likewise, he said around 16 trade delegations visited UAE to tap new markets, saying processed and fresh food products, as well as textile and surgical instruments from Pakistan are quite competitive and second to none.
Khan underscored that in the last few years, Pakistan is a recipient of more than $3 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) from the UAE, and added that Pakistanis are one of the major investors in the UAE's real estate. Moreover, remittances from the UAE account for a staggering $4 billion annually.
Etisalat, Abraaj, Emaar and Abu Dhabi Group of Companies are some of the major icons who already have their presence in Pakistan, and are acting as a catalyst in its development.
Pakistan's ambassador prided in the fact that the UAE is second home to more than 1.5 million Pakistanis. He also said that UAE, and Dubai, are the preferred tourist destination for millions of Pakistanis - with more than 200 flights per week between the two countries, and thanked the authorities for visa on arrival for Pakistanis' transiting through UAE.
Commenting on community welfare issues, the envoy said efforts are underway to further streamline the issuance/renewal of passports and national identity cards, and the entire process is online.
He said that he personally holds weekly meetings with community members, and takes stock of situation, and reviews progress in affairs related to schools, welfare issues of distressed Pakistanis, as well as legal aid for prisoners. He said concerned embassy and consulate officials periodically visit prisons, and review cases of people who are in need of aid and assistance. He thanked Interior Ministry authorities for being generous when it comes to litigation assistance and facilities for prisoners, and appreciated their concern in this regard. "Similarly, people who are in need of repatriation are attended on an urgent basis."
He recalled that the UAE acts as a lifeline for several developmental projects in Pakistan's remote areas, especially the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, and listed out some of them as icons of fraternity. The polio vaccination programme supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, which has benefitted millions of children, as well as hospitals, building of roads and desalination plants are cases in point.
Pakistan's top diplomat said his priority and passion is to "expand, diversify and deepen" the relationship. "It is very important for Pakistan, and at the same time mutually beneficial for the UAE. We want to further upgrade this understanding," he remarked.
He said presently there are seven community schools in the UAE with more than 8,000 students, and plans are underway to professionally reassess their curriculum, and upgrade the quality of teaching. "We are working to make the process transparent and efficient." The envoy said several varsities, including NUST and LUMS, have expressed their interest in opening their UAE chapters, and observed a mechanism is being devised to take care of students' interest on transfer between the two countries.
The ambassador was delighted to share that visas for Emirati nationals is processed, mostly, on the same day, and in the last several months hundreds of visas were issued. "An easy procedure is available for other nationals applying for visa from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and the process is being made hassle-free. We are very forthcoming in tourist, business and family visa issuance," he added.
Ambassador Khan was nostalgic, and proudly mentioned the role Pakistanis have played in UAE's development. He said that from banking to aviation and construction industry, Pakistanis have played a cardinal role. "The first flight of Emirates was flown by PIA, and that is why it is known as 'EK' (Emirates Karachi)!"
"It is a relationship that is deep-rooted in commonality of each other's national interests," the ambassador said.  "The element of trust is indispensable, and that is our strength."
The envoy said Pakistan, which was one of the first to recognise UAE on its inception, will play a pivotal role at Expo 2020, and added that all major Pakistani companies eagerly look forward to the mega-event.
On a note of gratitude, Ambassador Khan said, "the strategic partnership is bound to flourish, and my vision is to see overwhelming progress in the defence and security, business and people-to-people contacts."
- mehkri@khaleejtimes.com

• Pakistan
• UAE