ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Syed Asim Munir arrived in the UAE on Monday where he held meetings with the Gulf country’s senior leadership to discuss bilateral military and defense cooperation, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
Munir is on his maiden trip to the Gulf region since his appointment as Pakistan’s army chief in November 2021. He met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and senior civilian and military leaders of the kingdom on Monday to review cooperation in defense and other matters.
According to WAM, UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Munir at the Qasr Al Shati Palace and congratulated him on his appointment as army chief.
“During the meeting, the two sides reviewed cooperation relations and joint work between the UAE and Pakistan in defense and military affairs, as well as ways to strengthen them to serve the common interests of the two friendly countries,” WAM said.
The meeting was attended by senior UAE government officials as well, including the country’s deputy prime minister, national security adviser and chief of the armed forces.
Pakistan has always maintained close diplomatic and defense relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who employ a large number of its workers. According to official statistics, the Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia remitted $6.67 billion in 2022 which was closely followed by its citizens in the UAE who sent $5.10 billion.
The two Middle Eastern countries have also come to Pakistan’s rescue amid tough financial circumstances by offering it deferred oil payment facilities and sending substantial amounts of money to shore up its forex reserves.
Munir’s visit comes at a time when Pakistan confronts various economic problems that have exhausted its reserves, drove inflation to over 20 percent and sparked rumors the country would default on its liabilities. Islamabad has denied speculation the country would default but has rushed to secure external financing from international financial institutions and friendly countries.
