Won't go to brotherly countries with begging bowls, says Pakistan's PM Sharif in 'brotherly' UAE

The prime minister praised the partnership between UAE and Pakistani enterprises to promote the digitisation of the economy and stated the wish to emulate this in Pakistan

On Thursday, Pakistan's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, declared that the days of its cash-strapped officials traveling to friendly nations with "begging bowls" to help ease its economic hardships were "gone."

During a one-day visit to the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister Sharif said these things.

Long-standing brotherly ties with a strong religious and cultural bond exist between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Regular high-level interactions are one of the characteristics that set the two nations' fraternal relations apart.

"Gone are the days that I will go to our brotherly countries with begging bowls. I have broken that bowl," Sharif said during a session in Abu Dhabi, the Gulf state's capital, Geo News quoted Sharif as saying.

Addressing UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who was not present at the event, said: "My dear brother, like your great father you have supported Pakistan like a family member like a brother."

"But today," he said, "I am here in this great country, this brotherly great country not to seek loans but to seek joint collaborations, seek joint investments," he said.

The prime minister, whose administration took office in March, claimed that these partnerships would benefit investors on both ends and that profits would be obtained via diligence, resourcefulness, and the use of contemporary equipment and expertise.

The prime minister praised the partnership between UAE and Pakistani enterprises to promote the digitisation of the economy and stated the wish to emulate this in Pakistan, emphasising the need to encourage IT skills to empower young, who make up 60% of the country's population.

He pledged to give them the best vocational training possible using up-to-date knowledge so they can complete the necessary legal requirements and travel to the United Arab Emirates.

The prime minister reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to totally overhauling Pakistan's economy through cooperation, joint ventures, and information exchange.

The prime minister stated that in order to increase exports, his government is concentrating all of its efforts on advancing artificial intelligence and information technology in Pakistan's mining and mineral industries, industry, and agriculture.

While Pakistan was still reeling from catastrophic floods in 2023, the UAE promised to lend the country USD 2 billion and an additional USD 1 billion.

China, Pakistan's "all-weather" friend, has also sent aid to the country to help weather its financial difficulties.