No signs of UAE displeasure, ties remain strong: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said there were no signs of displeasure from the United Arab Emirates towards Pakistan, stressing that bilateral relations remain strong and deeply rooted.

Speaking on Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,” Asif said ties between the two countries span generations and are built on solid foundations. He added that Pakistan has a consistent track record of repaying its financial obligations and would return the $3.5 billion loan to the UAE as scheduled.

The repayment comes as Pakistan aims to boost its foreign exchange reserves beyond $18 billion by June under an ongoing programme with the International Monetary Fund. Officials noted that the UAE had previously rolled over such deposits, but recent extensions were made for shorter durations, reflecting evolving financial conditions.

Meanwhile, the government confirmed that Pakistan had already repaid $1.43 billion in external debt, including a $1.3 billion Eurobond and related obligations, in a timely manner. The Foreign Office also dismissed reports suggesting tensions over the repayment, calling them “misleading and unfounded.”

Commenting on regional developments, Asif said Saudi Arabia had expressed concern following attacks on its petrochemical facilities, which Pakistan strongly condemned. He noted that Islamabad had carefully navigated the situation while maintaining trust with all countries, including Iran.

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The minister highlighted Pakistan’s emerging role as a key intermediary between Iran and the United States, facilitating a temporary ceasefire and upcoming peace talks in Islamabad.

Asif said the country’s diplomatic positioning had strengthened its global standing, adding that support from nations such as China and Russia would yield positive outcomes. He also remarked that India appeared unsettled by recent developments, while cautioning that any potential escalation could stem from other regional actors.