Reason behind UAE president's ‘private visit’ to Pakistan revealed

A day after a viral video showed Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif having a candid chat with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, netizens are speculating the circumstances surrounding the “sudden and mysterious” visit of the Emirati royal.

On Sunday, PM Shehbaz, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, was spotted meeting the UAE president at the Rahim Yar Khan International Airport.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including economic collaboration, regional stability, climate change, and the promotion of mutual interests on the global stage, a statement issued by the PM Office said following a high-level meeting.

During the meeting, the statement added, President Nayhan underscored the UAE government’s keen interest in collaborating with Pakistan in the mining, minerals and agriculture sectors.

“Delighted to meet with my dear brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Presi­dent of UAE, today in Rahimyar Khan. Reaffir­med Pakistan’s strong commitment to further strengthen Pak-UAE cooperation and elevate our ties to a mutually beneficial strategic partnership. Matters of mutual interest, including investments in Pakistan, were discussed with a resolve to move forward together [sic],” PM Shehbaz said in a post later in the day.

However, with the sudden visit and meeting taking many by surprise, social media users were seen speculating the reason behind the same.

Amid unverified claims, The Current has received exclusive details behind the Emirati royal’s private visit to Pakistan.

According to sources, the UAE president, along with Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, arrived at the Chandna Airstrip in Bahawalpur on Wednesday. The royals departed for their palace in southern Punjab’s Cholistan via two special helicopters.

“The Emirati royals are in Pakistan to engage in falconry and hunting during their one-week stay,” sources said, adding that they often privately visited the country from November to February to hunt Asian Houbara bustards.

The Houbara bustard is a desert bird similar in size to a chicken. It is an endangered migratory bird that was once common in the Arabian Peninsula. Thousands of these birds migrate from Central Asia to Pakistan in winters.

While hunting the Houbara bustard is illegal in the country due to its declining numbers, the Pakistani government often makes exceptions for Middle Eastern dignitaries, issuing yearly hunting permits.

The government argues that foreign hunters bring investment to underdeveloped areas, which contributes to the development of infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and roads. Locals also get jobs during the hunting season, it maintains.