Pakistan and the UAE share common concerns and interests and this has strengthened ties.
Pakistan and its people are celebrating the country's National Day today all over the world with a sense of pride and patriotism. It is a particularly special day for us in the UAE, a country with which Pakistan enjoys extremely cordial and brotherly ties.
It is on this day that the historic Lahore Resolution seeking a separate homeland for the Muslims of India was passed. Quaid-e-Azam (great leader) Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of our nation, was the guide and mentor of our freedom struggle.
Great progress
Pakistan has made great progress since 1947. Under the visionary leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan today stands tall among the comity of nations. The country due to its strategic location is fast becoming a hub for trade and foreign investment in the region. Our rich mineral resources, oil and gas potential, power and energy sector, agriculture, and massive potential in the field of housing are attracting multinational companies from all over the world. Our work force of more than 140 million people offers competitive labour eager to develop our country.
The UAE has been our steadfast friend. The close personal ties between our two countries exemplifies the finest in diplomatic and economic relationship. The over half million Pakistanis working in the UAE are testimony of the close ties between our two countries. The hospitality offered to Pakistanis in the UAE is a symbol of the affection that binds our two countries.
Close friend
The late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was one of our closest friends. He had a special love for Pakistan, and I am proud of the fact that President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has followed the footsteps of his illustrious father, and further strengthened ties between our two countries. The current leadership of the two countries is fully resolved to speak with one voice on all regional and international forums.
The visit by President General Pervez Musharraf to the UAE in January this year has helped add further substance to our fraternal relationship and has also provided opportunities to explore fresh initiatives and avenues of cooperation. Both countries stand strongly committed to a renaissance of Islamic values. Both of us are committed to people's right to self determination.
Ties in the economic and trade sectors are also growing. The UAE is the second largest trading partner and the largest investor in Pakistan. The latest example in the list of business cooperation between the two countries is the announcement by Abu Dhabi of a multi-billion dollar refinery to be set up at Khalifa Point for which the ground breaking is slated for April 2007.
We are confident that relations between our two brotherly countries will continue to prosper, and grow from strength to strength in the days to come.
