ISLAMABAD: A high-powered delegation from the UAE is presently in Pakistan starting today (Tuesday) to look into the possibilities for multibillion-dollar investments across several sectors of the economy.

The United Arab Emirates has previously transferred their $2 billion in State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) deposits. Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has requested that the ruler of the United Arab Emirates send a high-level delegation to Pakistan to meet with their Pakistani counterparts. 

Many ideas are being discussed and investigated during this visit," a top Pakistani official told The News in a conversation on the sidelines on Monday.

UAE Delegation Pakistan

One of the UAE delegation's top officials remarked when pressed for more information on the objective of the visit, "You will have to wait to see how the visit goes."

On his way back from Saudi Arabia, Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, stopped in the UAE to meet with President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other top officials. 

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif

The Prime Minister of Pakistan asked the UAE's top brass to look into investment prospects in Pakistan during the meeting. He confirmed the UAE group was coming to Pakistan on Monday when called by the Miftah Amir Ismail, Federal Minister for Finance. 

He was unequivocal that he was not going to the UAE to ask for any further aid package. The delegation would also meet with the government's economic team and discuss measures to speed up trade between the two countries. 

The delegation would be treated to a dinner hosted by the prime minister. During that time, they would discuss ways to improve economic and trade ties as well as investment opportunities. Members of the delegation will learn about Pakistan's friendly business climate. Energy, economics, and the petroleum business will also be on the agenda for debate.