ABU DHABI: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, while addressing a gathering of Pakistani community members and Emirati guests at an Iftari at the Embassy, paid rich tributes to the visionary leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
“I along with a delegation of Pakistan Business Council paid a visit to the mausoleum of Sheikh Zayed and offered Fateha and prayed for his soul, today. UAE has become a hub of global business and cultural activities which is the manifestation of Sheikh Zayed’s dream who united the seven Emirates and transformed them to UAE,” he said.
The gathering included Pakistani doctors, engineers, educationists, businessmen and local Emiratis.
The Ambassador said that Pakistan was one of the first countries to open its diplomatic representation in UAE by sending its 
ambassador six months before UAE was formed.
“We have a very long association with UAE. Ch. Zafar Iqbal, the Pakistani banker, is here who first met Sheikh Zayed in January 1967 and then moved to Abu Dhabi in 1968 opening a branch of UBL here,” Mr. Tirmizi said.
He informed the Pakistani community members that the mission is endeavoring for enhancing consular services and the newly established Consular Hall with state-of-the-art facilities will be operational by August this year. “We are grateful to the Pakistani community members and Emirati friends without whose support this would not have been possible,” emphasised the Ambassador.
While introducing the new consul general, Mr. Tirmizi appreciated Mr. Hussain Muhammad for the performance of Pakistan’s Consulate General in Dubai towards extending consular services to community members.
The ambassador underlined the need for ensuring better facilities for Pakistanis living in UAE as their number has increased manifold while schools and educational institutions are few. Pledging all possible support, he urged Pakistani and Emirati businessmen to invest in this sector by building schools and universities.
The Ambassador said that such interactions were essential for further strengthening the bilateral relations between UAE and Pakistan which has been nurtured over a period of more than 50 years. “Interactions among people of our two countries provide opportunities for further enhancing business to business collaboration,” Mr Tirmizi concluded.
