UAE president's Islamabad visit cancelled due to bad weather

ISLAMABAD: President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to Islamabad has been cancelled due to bad weather conditions, confirmed Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The UAE president was scheduled to reach Islamabad on a day-long visit but due to inclement weather conditions his flight was delayed and later the visit was cancelled.

The minister said the foreign dignitary was waiting for take-off from 7.30 in the morning but the security team did not allow his plane to take off for Islamabad, the minister said.

Aurangzeb further said that the new dates for the UAE president’s visit to Pakistan will be announced later.

Meanwhile, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan contacted PM Shehbaz Sharif and expressed sorrow over the cancellation of the visit.

“Your security and well-being more important to you,” Shehbaz Sharif was quoted as saying to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The UAE dignitary assured PM Sharif that he will soon come to Islamabad on a two-day visit.

It may be noted that arrangements to welcome Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan were finalised in Islamabad. He was to be escorted by JF-17 aircraft to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Nur Khan Air Base.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and important members of the federal cabinet were also there to welcome the distinguished guest at the air base.

متحدہ عرب امارات کے صدر شیخ محمد بن زید النہیان ایک روزہ دورہ پر آج اسلام آباد پہنچ رہے ہیں۔۔۔#PakWelcomesMBZ @CMShehbaz pic.twitter.com/iU53vlr6jS

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) January 30, 2023

Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan was also scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif.