Dubai, United Arab Emirates – H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, together with H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the UAE, joined a large gathering of officials, diplomats, and prominent economic and social figures from the Pakistani community to celebrate the 78th Independence Day of Pakistan. The event took place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai.
The celebration, organized by “UAE Loves Pakistan” in cooperation with the Pakistan Association Dubai and supported by Dubai Police, attracted more than 60,000 participants. It served as a reaffirmation of the deep-rooted historical ties between the Emirati and Pakistani peoples.
Message of Brotherhood and Partnership
In his speech, H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan expressed his pride in participating in this national occasion, congratulating the people of Pakistan and praising the deep friendship between the two nations. He stressed that UAE-Pakistan relations are built on shared values, mutual respect, and a unified vision for peace and prosperity, and highlighted the valuable contributions of the Pakistani community to the UAE’s society through their talent, hard work, and creativity.
He also invited members of the community to take part in the national writing competition organized by “Sandooq Al Watan” in cooperation with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, under the theme “What the UAE Means to Me”, aimed at collecting stories and experiences from residents and citizens to inspire future generations.
Diplomatic Remarks
In an exclusive statement to “Voice Of Emirates”, H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the UAE, emphasized that the relationship between the two brotherly nations spans decades of distinguished cooperation and is founded on mutual respect and fruitful partnership across various sectors, especially in the economy, culture, and human development.
He expressed his pride in the fraternal bonds between the peoples of the UAE and Pakistan, affirming their shared commitment to strengthening these ties through programs and initiatives that promote cultural exchange, deepen economic cooperation, and bring people closer through arts, music, and a rich cultural heritage.
He added that UAE–Pakistan relations will remain a model of bilateral cooperation and stressed the continued joint efforts to reinforce these historic bonds for the benefit of both peoples.
Announcements and Initiatives
During the event, Dr. Faisal Ikram, President of the Pakistan Association Dubai, announced a AED 45 million expansion project for the Pakistan Medical Centre, which will include a radiology center, dialysis unit, and physiotherapy department, in addition to enhancing existing specialized services. He noted that since its opening in October 2020, the center has served more than 140,000 patients from over 100 nationalities.
Diverse Cultural and Artistic Program
The celebration featured a rich cultural and artistic program showcasing Pakistan’s heritage and diversity, including musical performances, traditional dances, heritage food stalls, and artworks inspired by the country’s environment and traditions. The event also honored prominent Pakistani figures who have contributed to the UAE’s success story, including entrepreneurs, founders of companies and schools, artists, athletes, and media professionals.
Solid Strategic Relations
This celebration comes within the context of the distinguished relations between the UAE and Pakistan, which date back to 1971. The relationship continues to witness steady growth across multiple sectors, most recently marked by the launch of the strategic partnership for government modernization between the two countries in June. The UAE is among the largest investors in Pakistan, particularly in telecommunications, tourism, information technology, energy, and real estate.