![PM Shehbaz met IFZA delegation of UAE, oversaw an MoU for investment in SEZs of Pakistan, led an anti-polio meet, and backed Gaza's rebuild. [Image via PID]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1289184_7317154_UAE_akhbar.webp)
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met an 8-member delegation from the International Free Zones Authority (IFZA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Aleria Group here and witnessed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) exchanged between IFZA and the Board of Investment Pakistan for investment in existing Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The prime minister welcomed the IFZA delegation that would invest in several projects in existing SEZs of Pakistan, a PM Office news release said.
On the occasion, the prime minister said Pakistan and the UAE had long-standing brotherly relations spanning decades, whereas the country had vast investment opportunities in several sectors. “The government is taking steps on a priority basis to provide a business and investment-friendly environment in the country,” he said.
The meeting was attended by IFZA Chairman Martin Gregers Pederson and Aleria Managing Partner Mana Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi, along with officials from Aleria and IFZA. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and relevant senior officials also participated in the meeting.
Also See: Pak-UAE Trade Poised to Triple Growth
Separately, chairing a meeting regarding the anti-polio vaccination drive, the prime minister reiterating his government’s resolve to purge the country of polio virus, said that the downward trend in February this year evidenced the effectiveness of the polio vaccination drives in the country. He appreciated the administration of all provinces for their efforts to timely identify polio cases resulting into the gradual downward trend, according to a PM Office press release.
The authorities informed that six polio cases have been reported so far this year.
Since the launch of the February’s anti-polio campaign, a significant reduction in polio cases has been observed, particularly in polio-affected districts such as Balochistan, Sindh, and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was told that three polio campaigns during the first six months was part of the plan, of which the first one had been conducted in February, while the other two are scheduled for April and May.
Meanwhile, the prime minister wrote on his official X wall to express his endorsement for the reconstruction plan for war-torn Gaza approved by the Arab League.
Meanwhile, the prime minister held separate meetings with Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Musadik Masood Malik, newly appointed ministers of state Abdul Rehman Kanju and Talal Chaudhry and Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar. During the meetings, matters of various ministries and overall political situation of the country came under discussion.
Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader Ikhtiar Wali Khan called on the prime minister and discussed matters of mutual interests.
This news is sourced from The News and is intended for informational purposes only.
