FM Bilawal, Chairman Senate pay tribute to services of UAE President

Islamabad: Government has announced three days national mourning from today till Sunday in solidarity with the brotherly people of UAE over the sad demise of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

According to a press release issued by the Foreign Office, the National Flag shall also fly at half-mast during the mourning period.

In his statement, Spokesperson of the FO Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that the Government and people of Pakistan have received the news about the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan with a deep sense of grief and sorrow.

He said with his departure, the UAE has lost a visionary leader, and the people of Pakistan a sincere friend.

The Spokesperson said Sheikh Khalifa played a key role in the development and modernization of the UAE. His leadership and vision were pivotal to the UAE’s emergence as a major economic power-house. History will remember His Highness for his sterling contributions in humanitarian affairs and towards promoting peace. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited UAE embassy to offer his condolence on the death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He paid tribute to the wise leadership of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He said services of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in strengthening the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are commendable.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in Karachi today.

He offered condolences over the death of UAE President Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zaid Al Nahyan.He condoled with the UAE Consul General Bakheet Ateek Al Romaithi and expressed his deep grief and sorrow.The Chief Minister said that the deceased played vital role for the Muslim Ummah and in the development of the UAE.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected as president on Saturday, official media said, a day after the death of former leader Sheikh Khalifa.

The rulers of the country’s seven sheikhdoms made the decision at a meeting held at Al-Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, state news agency WAM said.

WAM described the vote as unanimous among the rulers of the country’s sheikhdoms.

“We congratulate him, and we pledge allegiance to him, and our people pledge allegiance to him,” Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, said on Twitter after the vote.

“The whole country is led by him to take it on the paths of glory and honor, God willing,” he added.