DND Report
The 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was held in Abu Dhabi on 24 June 2025. The session was held after a pause of 12 years and Pakistan’s government considers this development as “Diplomatic breakthrough” and Deputy Prime Minister who is also Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar in one of his press conference said that important decisions were taken in the session that would surely be beneficial for Pakistan and UAE and for Pakistani community living in UAE.
When Pakistan’s Ambassador Faisal Niazi Tirmizi was asked by the DND News Agency Islamabad to comment on this development, Ambassador Tirmizi thought that the JMC reviewed the full scope of bilateral relations and agreed on concrete measures to strengthen cooperation in trade, banking, culture, investment, aviation, railways, energy, food security, climate change, defence, healthcare, manpower, higher education and information technology. Both sides emphasized enhancing institutional mechanisms and promoting inter-ministerial coordination.
When asked to share the “Key Points” of the JMC, he commented that JMC provided a detailed roadmap for future cooperation and sectoral coordination, and both sides agreed to enhance inter-ministerial coordination and follow-up frameworks through working groups.
Ambassador Tirmizi stated that both sides shared perspectives on Middle East regional developments, reaffirming a joint commitment to peace and stability.
He added that besides the JMC protocol, three MoUs on “Mutual Exemption of Entry Visa Requirements for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders”, “Establishment of a Joint Task Force to Promote Investments”, and an Agreement on “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy” were signed.
While lauding the role of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the Ambassador stated that JMC was held under a broader spectrum and Foreign Minister Dar held several pre-JMC as well as post-JMC deliberations. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a preparatory meeting with the Pakistani delegation. The meeting reviewed the JMC agenda and assessed progress on bilateral engagements, with a focus on trade, investment, energy, telecommunications, and employment opportunities for Pakistani workers in the UAE. Senator Dar commended the efforts of all stakeholders and stressed the need to translate discussions into concrete outcomes.
Before the formal proceedings, a working group meeting of the JMC was also held under the leadership of Mr. Tariq Bajwa, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and H.E. Mr. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates.
FM Senator Ishaq Dar also met with H.E. Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, and their discussion focused on strengthening development cooperation and ADFD’s ongoing and future projects in Pakistan. ADFD showed its interest in hydroelectric power projects, Diamer-Bhasha, and Mohmand dams. FM Dar appreciated ADFD’s role in supporting Pakistan’s development agenda, especially in infrastructure, energy, and social sectors. In recognition of his contributions, Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam was conferred upon Mr. Al Suwaidi by the Government of Pakistan. Senator Dar presented the award on behalf of the President.
Meetings on the sidelines
Etisalat
- The Ambassador, along with Mr. Zarrar Hasham Khan, Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication, and Jawad Paul, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, held a meeting with Hatem Dowidar is the Group CEO of e&.
- Discussions focused on resolving outstanding issues related to privatization proceeds and exploring fresh investments in Pakistan’s telecom sector.
- Etisalat expressed interest in engaging under the new regulatory and investor-friendly environment being shaped by Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
Ministry of Justice and GDRFA
- The Ambassador Tirmizi, along with Muhammad Khurram Agha, Secretary, Ministry of Interior, and Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, held a bilateral meeting with Judge Abdul Rehman Murad Al Baloushi, Assistant Under Secretary for International Cooperation and legal affairs, Ministry of Justice and Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, GDRFA.
During the meetings, the Pakistani side briefed the UAE authorities on the measures undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to curb the travel of persons involved in illegal activities and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. The UAE side appreciated these efforts and assured support in addressing visa-related challenges and enhancing employment opportunities for Pakistani nationals in the UAE.
Ambassador Faisal Niazi Tirmizi was of the view that the relationship between the UAE and Pakistan is reaching new heights under the direction of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and under the constant guidance of Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, who understands the social, economic, and diplomatic dimensions of the Gulf and Pakistan’s Foreign Office under the leadership of FM Dar is writing new history of successes globally.
