UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Snubs Pakistani Leaders, Spends Only Minutes with PM Shehbaz Sharif

Islamabad: The recent visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan has stirred controversy, as reports suggest that Pakistani leaders were largely sidelined during the trip. The president, who arrived in Pakistan last week, was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, but sources reveal that the meeting with the PM lasted barely four to five minutes.

According to CNN-News18, the visit was primarily private in nature and not part of a formal state itinerary. As a result, Sheikh Mohamed did not meet Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and limited his interaction with Pakistani officials. The brief encounter with PM Shehbaz was largely ceremonial, confined to exchanging pleasantries and photo opportunities. No Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), agreements, or substantive bilateral discussions took place.

Focus on Military Over Civil Leadership
While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had extended a warm and formal welcome, the UAE president reportedly prioritized spending time with Pakistani military leadership, particularly Army Chief Asim Munir, over engaging with government officials. Following the Rawalpindi visit, Sheikh Mohamed traveled to Rahim Yar Khan for a private event linked to the army chief’s family and participated in personal leisure activities, including hunting, rather than official government meetings.

Diplomatic Fallout
The minimal engagement with Pakistan’s civilian leadership has led to embarrassment for the government, which had earlier built high expectations for the visit, signaling potential agreements and cooperation. Pakistani media and analysts are questioning the government’s diplomatic leverage, noting that the president’s refusal to visit Islamabad or participate in formal discussions reflects poorly on Pakistan’s foreign policy stature.

The incident underscores the delicate balance in Pakistan-UAE relations, highlighting how personal and military ties sometimes overshadow formal diplomatic channels. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of Islamabad’s strategic outreach to key Gulf partners.