A collection of rare archival photographs has surfaced, offering a visual testament to the enduring diplomatic relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. The images, shared by Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, daughter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, reveal intimate moments between the nations’ leadership across generations.
The photographs capture Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, engaging with the Bhutto family during their childhood years. One particularly poignant image shows Sheikh Mohammed attentively listening to Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, now Pakistan’s First Lady, and her siblings during a meeting with their mother Benazir Bhutto. Remarkably, the Dubai Ruler’s demeanor exhibits the same ‘kindness, love and humility’ that characterizes his contemporary interactions, according to Bakhtawar’s commentary.
This visual history traces back to the 1970s when the UAE’s Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan established brotherly ties with Pakistan’s former president Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. These foundational relationships have created an enduring partnership that has weathered regional challenges and geopolitical shifts.
The historical connection extends beyond political leadership. Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the UAE President and Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, appears in the photographs, representing the continuity of diplomatic engagement since the Emirates’ formation.
The relationship is further symbolized by recent interactions where Sheikh Mohammed referred to Aseefa Bhutto Zardari as a ‘daughter of Dubai,’ during Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari’s official visit to the UAE last week. The current generation of leaders, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, continue to strengthen these cross-generational bonds.
The nations’ interconnected history is both deep and practical. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize the UAE’s formation, and over 1.7 million Pakistanis now reside in the Emirates. The relationship includes significant infrastructure contributions, most notably Pakistan International Airlines’ instrumental role in launching Emirates airline in 1985. The inaugural flights from Dubai to Karachi and Mumbai utilized aircraft wet-leased from PIA, with Pakistani pilot Fazle Ghani Mian not only commanding the flights but also training the first generation of UAE national pilots.