ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived on a one-day visit to the United Arab Emirates on Friday where he met the country’s president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and offered condolences over the passing of his brother.
Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a representative of the ruler of Abu Dhabi, passed away after suffering from a health problem, the UAE announced on Thursday.
The prime minister informed in a Twitter post that he offered his “heartfelt condolences” to the UAE president during the meeting.
“The deceased was a great friend of Pakistan,” he said on the social media website. “His demise is certainly a big loss for the Al Nahyan family. We, in Pakistan, share the grief & sorrow of our Emirati brothers & sisters and pray for peace of the departed soul.”
Pakistan and the UAE are long-time close allies.
UAE this month deposited $1 billion in Pakistan’s central bank, ahead of Islamabad getting a formal nod from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $3 billion bailout package.
Sharif is also accompanied by Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi during his visit to the Gulf country.
President Dr. Arif Alvi also expressed grief over the death of the UAE president’s brother.
“In this hour of sorrow, my sympathies and those of the Pakistani nation are with the people and the royal family of the UAE,” he said.
