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UAE-Pakistan to explore opportunities in forward-looking sectors: Ambassador
15 MoUs have been signed across key sectors such as ports, logistics, food security, banking, minerals, and energy, marking a strategic shift towards structured, investment-driven collaboration
- PUBLISHED: Mon 23 Mar 2026, 12:22 PM
The economic and trade relationship between the UAE and Pakistan is on a strong and upward trajectory as both nations are engaged in discussion to explore opportunities in forward-looking sectors, a top diplomat says.
Shafqat Ali Khan, Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE, said the UAE’s interest in Pakistan’s ports, infrastructure, and logistics corridors reflects confidence in Pakistan’s geo-economic significance as a regional connectivity hub. Supported by sustained political alignment and the facilitative framework of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the partnership is entering a new phase of diversified and deepened economic cooperation.
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“Yes, discussions are ongoing in exploring opportunities in forward-looking sectors such as infrastructure, halal meat and standardisation, government experience exchange on AI and science and technology collaboration. These initiatives are designed to align our partnership with emerging global trends and innovation-driven growth, fostering long-term resilience and competitiveness,” Khan told Khaleej Times during an interview.
Khan, a distinguished career diplomat with more than three decades of experience in the foreign service of Pakistan, said bilateral trade stood firm at $10 billion and both the countries are committed to promote economic relations.
In recent years, he said over 15 memoranda of understandings (MoUs) have been signed across key sectors such as ports, logistics, food security, banking, minerals, and energy, marking a strategic shift towards structured, investment-driven collaboration.
“The UAE leadership’s pledge to invest $10 billion in Pakistan further underscores confidence in Pakistan’s reform agenda and long-term growth prospects. Both countries are actively identifying commercially viable, high-impact projects in sectors including minerals, information technology, banking, railway modernisation, special economic zones, and port logistics,” he said.
Khan, who assumed his responsibilities in the UAE in November, previously represented Pakistan as Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2020-23) and Ambassador to Poland (2017-2020), with concurrent accreditation to Estonia and Latvia. Over the years, he also held key diplomatic assignments at Pakistan’s missions in Beijing, New York, and Geneva, and served in pivotal leadership roles at the Foreign Ministry including Additional Secretary (Europe) and Director General (Europe).
Important Bilateral Visits
President Asif Ali Zardari undertook a working visit to the UAE from January 26 to 29, 2026, where he held substantive, high-level engagements with the UAE leadership aimed at further strengthening the longstanding and historic bilateral relationship between the two countries. The discussions focused on deepening cooperation across priority sectors and reaffirming the shared commitment to advancing mutually beneficial ties, according to Khan.
“The visit followed a series of significant high-level exchanges that underscore the strategic importance both sides attach to this partnership. Notably, the recent visit of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan, as well as last year’s visits by the Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have injected renewed momentum into bilateral relationship. Moreover, the convening of the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission further institutionalised this forward-looking cooperation framework.
“Collectively, these interactions have provided a robust platform for both countries to identify new avenues of collaboration and expand existing partnerships across economic, strategic, and cultural domains. Both sides reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people exchanges, reflecting the depth, resilience, and shared aspirations that define the Pakistan–UAE relationship,” he said.
High-potential sectors
Khan, a seasoned diplomat, observed that renewable energy cooperation has accelerated since Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, visited Pakistan in 2023. “A key MoU was signed to enhance collaboration on solar and wind energy projects, supporting Pakistan’s clean energy goals and leveraging the UAE’s expertise in sustainable development. Both countries also coordinate closely through the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
In infrastructure, he said partnerships with DP World and AD Ports Group are modernising Pakistan’s ports and strengthening supply chain connectivity, enhancing trade efficiency and regional integration.
In tourism, the resumption of direct Pakistan International Airlines flights between Dubai and Skardu has improved access to northern Pakistan, promoting eco-tourism and supporting the hospitality sector.
Moreover, emerging sectors such as Islamic finance, digital remittances, mining, rare earth minerals, pharmaceuticals, healthcare infrastructure, railway modernisation, and aviation services offer significant untapped potential. Pakistan brings strategic geography, market size, and resources, while the UAE contributes capital, technology, and global connectivity, creating opportunities for high-value, sustainable partnerships.
Overseas Pakistanis Role
Khan said overseas Pakistanis remain a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic stability, with remittances reaching a record $38 billion in 2025 and projected to exceed $41 billion in 2026.
“To better serve their needs, the government of Pakistan aims to expand overseas employment opportunities through enhanced pre-departure training, soft-skills programs and skilled migration, particularly to GCC nations including the UAE,” he said.
Elaborating, he said welfare support has been strengthened via the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, including higher grants, legal assistance, grievance redressal, repatriation services, and faster resolution through special courts in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baluchistan, as well as upgraded airport facilities. Overseas Pakistanis also facilitated in educational and employment benefits, such as quotas for overseas Pakistanis’ children in medical colleges and age relaxations for government jobs, complement investment facilitation through Roshan Digital Accounts, diaspora bonds, and incentives for formal remittances.
“Serving our diaspora remains a top priority. Our Embassy and Consulate in the UAE have undertaken significant administrative reforms to improve service delivery, including digital token systems, dedicated WhatsApp helplines, online appointment scheduling, and passport home-delivery services. Consular facilities have been modernised, and renovation plans for the Dubai Consulate are underway to accommodate rising demand. These measures reflect our commitment to citizen-centric, efficient, and transparent public service,” he said.
He said remittances from the UAE have also seen a robust increase from $4.6 billion in financial year 2021-22 to $6.8 billion in financial year 2024-25, a 48 per cent rise. “This surge was largely driven by the Roshan Digital Account initiative, active community engagement by the Mission, and broader macroeconomic stabilisation efforts by the government of Pakistan.”
Advise to Job Seekers
Khan said the UAE labour market has evolved into a highly competitive, skills-based environment. Opportunities are strongest in IT, AI, fintech, healthcare, aviation, engineering, and renewable energy.
“Prospective job seekers should apply strictly through authorised recruitment channels and avoid traveling on tourist visas for job searches. Upskilling, professional certification, and English proficiency are critical.
“We also advise verifying employment offers through official channels and familiarising oneself with UAE labour regulations. To support safe migration, the Community Welfare Wings of the Embassy and Consulate have also produced an instructional video outlining legal and professional pathways.”
In reply to a question, he said the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE continues to serve as a strong bridge between our two brotherly nations, reflecting the deep-rooted friendship and longstanding partnership that define Pakistan–UAE relations.
“With approximately 2.1 million Pakistanis residing in the UAE, this vibrant community remains one of the largest expatriate groups in the country. Their contributions to the UAE’s development, alongside the vital remittances and commercial linkages they maintain with Pakistan, underscore the depth of our bilateral ties. The operation of more than 400 weekly flights between our two countries further illustrates the strength of our people-to-people connections and sustained engagement,” he said.
“We are aware that some Pakistani nationals have faced visa-related challenges in recent times. The government of Pakistan is in close and constructive engagement with the relevant UAE authorities to address these matters and facilitate a smooth and efficient visa process for travellers, workers, and businesspersons. In this regard, high-level interactions, including discussions between Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his UAE counterpart, have taken place as part of these efforts. We remain confident that, through continued dialogue and cooperation, any temporary difficulties will be resolved soon, ensuring the continued seamless movement of people and commerce between our two countries.
“At the same time, we encourage our citizens to rely on official channels for accurate information and to remain cautious of any disinformation regarding UAE visa for Pakistanis,” Khan concluded.
RISING REMITTANCES
> Overseas Pakistanis remain a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic stability, with remittances reaching a record $38 billion in 2025 and projected to exceed $41 billion in 2026.
> Remittances from the UAE have also seen a robust increase from $4.6 billion in financial year 2021-22 to $6.8 billion in financial year 2024-25, a 48 per cent rise.
> This surge was largely driven by the Roshan Digital Account initiative, active community engagement by the Mission, and broader macroeconomic stabilisation efforts by the government of Pakistan, according to the ambassador.
