ABU DHABI: Pakistani community members in the UAE are the real heroes of our country who not only contribute to the growth of Pakistan but constantly help to the development of the UAE, Moazzam Ahmad Khan, Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE told Gulf News on Monday.
“Pakistanis remit a total of $20 billion (Dh73,4 billion) annually from across the world, of which $4.5 billion come from the UAE.”
The ambassador said that about eight million Pakistanis live overseas of which 1.5 million are in the UAE and their contribution to their country is marvellous.
He said that relations between Pakistan and the UAE have been very sound since era of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and these have been continuing under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Bilateral trade
Current bilateral trade between both countries stands at $6 billion (Dh22 billion), including $800 million worth of Pakistan’s exports to the UAE.
On community welfare, he said: “We are constantly enhancing it. Just to mention that only last year the embassy issued 85,000 machine readable passports to our people.”
The embassy is also planning to provide subsidised and quality education to its community people by opening new schools in the UAE, Khan said. “There has been a big demand for new schools as the community is constantly expanding here, so we are exploring the idea,” he said.
He said that the embassy is in talks with the local authorities to reopen the Pakistan Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi.
“As we mark today the 70th anniversary of our independence, we must also celebrate and salute the expatriate Pakistanis endeavour and achievements,” the ambassador said.
About the economic development and security back home, he said: “We have successfully eradicated about 90 per cent of rogue elements from the country and efforts are under way to provide utmost safety and security to the people of Pakistan, he said.
On health care, security and education sectors in Pakistan, Khan said: “I believe that the answer lies in development. We all understand that development does not take place overnight, that it is a long and arduous process, but I do feel that Pakistan is on the right track.”
“Over the next decade, Pakistan’s GDP is projected to register a growth rate of eight per cent annually. There is every reason to look to the future with great hope and optimism,” the ambassador said.
