Both leaders extended best wishes and prayers for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of the UAE and Pakistan       Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) speaks with United Arab Emirates' President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in this image. — UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs/File

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and conveyed warm greetings to him on the occasion of Eidul Azha. The two leaders extended best wishes and prayers for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of the UAE and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s deep appreciation to President Mohamed bin Zayed for the UAE’s consistent support to Pakistan and also reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support to the Emirates through thick and thin. Recalling his “most productive” visit to the UAE in May 2024, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to transforming the fraternal and special ties between the two countries into an enduring and mutually beneficial strategic partnership, especially focused on trade and investment.

Emphasizing the significance of frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries, Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated to the UAE president an invitation to undertake an official visit to Pakistan, at his earliest convenience.

In response, Sheikh Mohamed graciously conveyed his acceptance of the invitation and agreed to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at an early date. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact to advance their shared desire to take the brotherly and close ties between the two countries to even greater heights.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have agreed to redouble efforts for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as to ensure provision of essential aid to the innocent Palestinian brethren. On the occasion of Eidul Azha, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif exchanged Eid greetings with Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The prime minister conveyed his sincere wishes and prayers for the prosperity and progress of the fraternal people of Malaysia as well as for the Muslim Ummah, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release on Monday.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen their relations which were marked by commonality of views on all issues of mutual interest. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further broaden the historic ties between Pakistan and Malaysia in all areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade and investment.

On X account, the prime minister said that he was delighted to have spoken with Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia today and exchange warm greetings on Eidul Azha.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Monday discussed bilateral as well as regional issues of mutual interest. The prime minister emphasized that enhanced connectivity between the two countries was critical for economic and trade relations and the two sides need to maintain their focus on this important dimension.

The two dignitaries exchanged Eid greetings and prayers for the peoples of both countries.

The Kazakh president expressed his delight on the prime minister’s election for the second time and remarked that this would help strengthen Pakistan’s political and economic situation. “The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of their bilateral relationship and reaffirmed shared desire to expand cooperation between both countries to its full potential, particularly in trade and investment,” PM Office Media Wing said in a press statement.

The prime minister also extended a cordial invitation to the president of Kazakhstan to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience, which he graciously accepted.

On X account, the prime minister said that he had a wonderful conversation with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan on Eidul Azha. “Exchanged warm greetings and discussed ways to further strengthen our bilateral relations, especially trade & investment as well as regional cooperation. Look forward to my visit to Astana for the SCO Heads of State meeting next month,” he said in the post.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Monday exchanged views on enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, energy, and export of skilled labour. They also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to working closely together for the advancement of shared goals and objectives. The prime minister extended warm Eidul Azha greetings to Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, in a cordial telephone conversation, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. This was the first interaction between the two prime ministers since the Kuwaiti prime minister assumed office in April this year.

During their conversation, the two prime ministers reaffirmed the significance of the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and Kuwait, characterized by mutual respect, shared values, and common religious heritage.

While referring to the Pakistani diaspora in Kuwait, the prime minister thanked the Government of Kuwait for hosting a large Pakistani community who were gainfully employed and contributing to the economic development of both countries.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday contacted different political leaders on telephone to greet them on Eidul Azha. On the joyous and auspicious occasion, the prime minister reiterated to collectively work for the betterment of Pakistan, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

The prime minister felicitated PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Eid. He also held telephonic conversations with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Q Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chairman of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and conveyed Eid greetings and good wishes.

The prime minister also talked to Abdul Aleem Khan, Sardar Khalid Magsi, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and Professor Sajid Mir and exchanged Eid greetings. He hoped that the allied parties in the government would continue their role for the economic stability of Pakistan, adding that they would regain Pakistan’s lost place among the comity of nations by striving day and night.

He said that all steps were taken for providing maximum relief to the public in the new fiscal budget. The political leaders also reciprocated Eid greetings and good wishes and expressed the resolve to continue their cooperation in the coalition government.