BLACKEAGLE
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Background
Pakistan has enjoyed a close and strong historical relationship with the Middle-Eastern region, particularly Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Jordan, Yemen and Lebanon. Today there are over One million Pakistanis living and working in Saudi Arabia alone, with a similar number in other Arab Gulf region countries that constitute the Arab League. These ties were put to the test when a massive earth-quake hit Pakistan's Northern Areas in 2005 with Saudi Arabia & UAE promptly dispatching critical aid, not only in terms of medicine & essential supplies but massive injunction of billions of dollars for the reconstruction of the region. Pakistan also enjoys extensive cultural & defense/military ties with most of the Arab League member states. Pakistan also has extensive trade ties with Arab League states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE with Saudi Arabia ranking as Pakistan's second largest trading partner after the United States. With such close association to the Arab League, Pakistan was also invited by Russian President, Vladimir Putin in 2006 to the First Session of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group in 2006 in a bid to strengthen Moscow's ties with the big players in the Muslim world.
Army, Naval and Air Force cadets from many of the Arab League countries routinely enroll in training courses in Pakistan's well-recognized military academies while Pakistan Air Force pilots have flown Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian and Saudi fighter gets both in war (1967 & 1973 against Israel) & peacetime as part of their 'foreign deployments'. Units from the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force also serve allotted time periods in their respective fields in Saudi Arabia and UAE as instructors, maintenance crews, etc.
In 2007 Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf attended the Arab League summit held in Riyadh even though Pakistan had not yet gained 'Observer Member' status. Pakistan is currently in the stages of finalizing a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC countries, many of whom are also part of the Arab League while talks continue to grant Pakistan the 'Observer' status in the coming months. The country also has a long history of being an ardent supporter of several Arab causes, including Palestine, Iraq, Somalian crisis, etc.
There are over hundreds and thousands of Pakistanis in the Middle East, and many Arabs in Pakistan as well as Pakistani people who have historical Arabic origins.
Relations with Arab countries
JordanPakistan relations
JordanPakistan relations are the bilateral relations embedded between Pakistan and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Pakistan maintains an embassy in Amman whilst Jordan has an embassy established in Islamabad.
History
Pakistan-Jordan contacts began in the 1970s and 1980s, growing stronger since the mid-1990s. In 2001, Pakistani leaders visited Amman to discuss full-scale cooperation. The King of Jordan lauded what he called "deep, strong and historical relations" between the two countries and affirmed Jordan's keenness on consolidating its ties with Pakistan for the benefit of the two peoples.
On November 2 2007, King Abdullah II of Jordan visited Islamabad and held a formal meeting with the incumbent President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
In the meeting, Musharraf and Abdullah exchanged views on the overall evolution of regional and international situations, particularly in the Middle East. Concerns over the situation in Iraq were also pointed out, including the emerging sectarian and ethnic divides, and frequent incidents of sacrilegious attacks on holy sites.
Musharraf also spoke to King Abdullah about "Pakistans efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia" and for "addressing the challenges of extremism and terrorism." The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the development of the Pakistani-Jordanian bilateral relations in various fields, especially of the cooperation levels that had successfully been established in the economic and trade segments.
Trade and investment
As of 2004 and 2005, the trade volume between Pakistan and Jordan remained at $53.837 million, in which Pakistans exports stood at $21.013 million and imports were registered at $32.806 million. In the past, many Jordanian leaders have invited Pakistani investors to look into opportunities available in the energy and power sectors of Jordan. In June 2006, an initiation for the process of negotiations in concluding Free Trade Agreement and Protection and Promotion of Investments was scheduled and set during the 8th session of the Pak-Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission. During the session, discussions were also made on matters regarding the overall amount of cooperation in agriculture, science and technology as well as other areas.
Pakistanis in Jordan
Pakistanis in Jordan are either Pakistani people who live in Jordan, Pakistani immigrants to Jordan and people born in Jordan of Pakistani descent. The population of Pakistanis in Jordan, according to the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, is estimated to be up to 8,000. Most notable, Princess Sarvath El Hassan of Jordan is of Pakistani origin.
EgyptPakistan relations
The bilateral relations between Arab Republic of Egypt and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are warm, cordial and brotherly relations based on common bonds of religion, culture, values and commonality of interests. Modern relations traced back to 1947 when founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah paid a farewell visit to Egypt on the special invitation sent by King Fuad II. During the 1967 war, Pakistan stood with Egypt and sent its military aide, technicians, and personnel to aid the Egyptian military who was at the war with Israel.
History
Egypt and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1951, and since then they have maintained time-honored relations. Even before the independence of Pakistan, the only country that was visited by Muhammed Ali Jinnah was Egypt. In 1951, the two countries signed a friendship agreement, signifying the strong ties between the two countries. Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser, who visited Pakistan in 1960 for the first time, interfered to halt the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Pakistan played host to some Egyptian warships during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 Egyptian-Israeli war.
Bilateral Relations
Main article: Attack on the Egyptian Embassy in Pakistan
Pakistan and Egypt have close diplomatic and trade relations. Both countries are members of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), "the next eleven" and the "D8". The two countries are jointly coordinating on different fronts in international organizations, in September 2008, under the banner of OIC, Egypt and Pakistan, on behalf of the Muslim World, presented and sponsored a UN Human Rights Council Resolution to ban defaming of religion.
In 1974, President of Egypt Anwar Sadat visited Pakistan to attend the second OIC meeting held in Lahore, Pakistan, and generally supported Pakistan's plans to become a nuclear power. But, however, the relations with Pakistan went sour when Pakistan began ties with the former Soviet Union. The worsening of relations of Pakistan with the United States further played a key role. Nonetheless, the relations were normal with Egypt after the removal of Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. In 1980s, President Hosni Mubarak and President Zia-ul-Haq further enhance the relations; Egypt also played a vital role in Soviet war in Afghanistan where Egypt widely provided manpower (see Afghan Arabs) and military equipments to Afghan mujahideen in their fight against the Soviets. In 1988-90 and 199396, Egypt's relations were soured with Pakistan Peoples Party formerly led by Benazir Bhutto who was generally close with the Russia. In 1995, a disastrous car bombing took place in Islamabad that targeted the Egyptian Embassy. A massive manhunt was initiated by ISI and all assailants were arrested in 2001 and were extradite to Egypt. In 1998, Egypt was the only Muslim country to have give criticism to Pakistan's nuclear testings in a reply to India's.
Since 2001, Egypt continues to support Pakistan in its war against terrorism and tracking down the al-Qaeda operatives. In May 2009, Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister visited Islamabad to show Egypts support and solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan. Along with the visit, Egypt was the first country to send relief consignment for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and still sending humanitarian assistance to Pakistan for the same purpose. Pakistan Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, on assuming his office, made his first trip abroad to Egypt, within a year time, Gilani visited Egypt again in July 2009.
Economic Relations
Economically, the volume of trade between the two countries increased by 55% in 2007-2008 to reach $313 millions, which still remains relatively low compared to the potentials and the close relations which both countries enjoy.In investment, among the different Egyptian enterprises investing in the Pakistani market, Orascom Telecom Holding is the owner of Mobilink, one of the largest telecommunication company in Pakistan with a total investment exceeding 2 billion USD. On the other side, several Pakistani investments in the field of textile industry are based now in Egypt.
Egypt and Pakistan have agreed to enhance the existing level of co-operation between the two countries which include economic and commercial relations, investment opportunities, co-operation in public and civil services, health sector, agriculture, and postal, both countries would further enhance their co-operation in the alternative energy sector particularly wind power generation. In addition, Egypt and Pakistan have started to open up new windows for cooperation in several fields, including agriculture, health, higher education, technical support, ICT, and others.
There are over 700 Pakistanis living in Egypt, mainly in Cairo and Alexandria. Relations are helped by the fact that both states are majority-Muslim and there is a strong people to people contact between both countries, Al-Azhar University continues to offer its 30 scholarships to the Pakistani students each year, this number will rise to 50 soon. Additionally, 30 Egyptian professors have been sent to teach at the International Islamic University in Islamabad. Furthermore, Pakistani scholars benefit from the scholarships offered by the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture.
Pakistanis in Egypt
Pakistanis in Egypt consist of migrants and expatriates from Pakistan in Egypt and their descendants. In 2004 alone, the population was estimated at 500, which rose to 700 by 2011. The community is mostly made up of recently settled families; the Pakistan International School of Cairo was established in 1981 and largely caters to Pakistani students.
In 2005, Egyptian police were in search of five Pakistani nationals who were required for inquiry along with 70 other individuals, in connection with details about a series of bombings in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik which left 88 dead. The incident was thought to affect the community with arising suspicion. According to former president Pervez Musharraf, many Pakistanis staying in Egypt tend to use it as a long-term route to travel to Europe to find jobs.
Notable people
Mohamed Khan - Egyptian filmmaker and actor
Salima Ikram
Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari - graduate of Jamia Al Azhar.
PakistanSaudi Arabia relations
The bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Pakistan are historically and internationally close and extremely friendly, occasionally described as constituting a special relationship.
As two of the world's leading Islamic states as well as the power brokers in the Muslim world, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have sought to develop extensive commercial, cultural, religious and strategic relations since the establishment of Pakistan in 1947. Even today, the relationships with the Saudi Arabia represents the most "important and bilateral partnership" in the current Foreign policy of Pakistan, working and seeking to develop closer bilateral ties with the Saudi Arabia, the largest country on the Arabian peninsula and home to the two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina and the destination of Muslim pilgrims from across the world.
Development of bilateral relations
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are leading members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Saudi Arabia was one of the strongest supporters of Pakistan during Pakistan's wars with India, especially opposing the creation of Bangladesh from Pakistan's eastern wing in 1971. While it had supported Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir conflict, it has since endorsed the Indo-Pakistani peace process. With Pakistan, it provided extensive financial and political support to the Taliban and the Afghan mujahideen fighting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. During the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War, Pakistan sent troops to protect the Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia, but strains developed when some Pakistani politicians and Gen. Mirza Aslam Beg, the then-chief of staff of the Pakistani army openly expressed support for Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq and its invasion of Kuwait. Along with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were the only states to recognise Taliban rule in Afghanistan. In May 1998, Saudi Arabia was the only country that was taken in complete confidence by Prime minister Navaz Sharif on Pakistan's decision on performing atomic test in Weapon-testing laboratories-III (WTL-III) in the region of the Chagai Hills. After the ordered the atomic tests (see codenames: Chagai-I and Chagai-II), Saudi Arabia, along with United Arab Emirates, were the only countries to backed Pakistan and congratulated the country for making the "bold decision". Furthermore, Saudi Arabia promised to supply 50,000 barrels per day of free oil to help Pakistan cope with likely economic sanctions in the aftermath.
Military cooperation
Pakistan maintains close military ties with Saudi Arabia, providing extensive support, arms and training for the Military of Saudi Arabia. Pilots of the Pakistan Air Force flew aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force to repel an incursion from South Yemen in 1969. In the 1970s and 1980s, approximately 15,000 Pakistani soldiers were stationed in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has negotiated the purchase of Pakistani ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It is also speculated that Saudi Arabia secretly funded Pakistan's atomic bomb programme and seeks to purchase atomic weapons from Pakistan to enable it to counteract possible threats from arsenals of the weapons of mass destruction possessed by Iran, Iraq and Israel. Both nations have received high-level delegations of scientists, government and Saudi military experts of seeking to study the development of a Saudi nuclear programme.
Cultural and commercial ties
Saudi Arabia has also provided extensive religious and educational aid to Pakistan, being a major contributor to the construction of mosques and madrassas (religious schools) across Pakistan, the Faisal Mosque (dedicated to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia) in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Since 1947, the far-right political parties have been receiving funding for their political activities in the country. The major Pakistani city of Lyallpur was also renamed Faisalabad in honour of King Faisal in 1977. Saudi Arabia remains a major destination for immigration amongst Pakistanis, the number of whom living in Saudi Arabia stands between 900,000 and 1 million (see Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia). Saudi Arabia was a major supporter of the "Islamisation" programme of the military ruler Gen. Zia-ul-Haq in the 1970s. In 2006, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian decoration of Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia is the largest source of petroleum for Pakistan. It also supplies extensive financial aid to Pakistan and remittance from Pakistani migrants to Saudi Arabia is also a major source of foreign currency. In recent years, both countries have exchanged high-level delegations and developed plans to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, education, real estate, tourism, information technology, communications and agriculture. Saudi Arabia is aiding the development of trade relations with Pakistan through the Gulf Cooperation Council, with which Pakistan is negotiating a free trade agreement; the volume of trade between Pakistan and GCC member states in 2006 stood at USD 11 billion.
PakistanUnited Arab Emirates relations
Pakistani-Emirati relations refer to bilateral relations between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan and the UAE enjoy extremely close and fraternal relations, founded on deep-rooted cultural affinities, shared faith and traditions, as also geographic proximity and identity of interests. These relations date back to the UAE's formation in 1971, and have since evolved into wide-ranging co-operation in various fields. UAE has been a major donor of economic assistance to Pakistan. UAE has been appreciative of Pakistan's contribution to the evolution of key institutions in the Emirates such as armed forces, police, health and education, and has reciprocated in the same friendly manner to the full satisfaction of Pakistan.
Frequent exchanges of high level visits and regular bilateral consultations between the two countries are reflective of the fact that Pakistan and UAE have laid strong foundations of mutually beneficial relations, friendship and peaceful cooperation over the years. The UAE has emerged as one of Pakistan's major economic and trading partners. A large number of Pakistani expatriates, numbering nearly 400,000 are gainfully employed in UAE. The Pakistani expatriates in UAE have contributed in a significant manner to promotion of bilateral understanding and to the economy of Pakistan through their home remittances.
Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates
Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates constitute a population of 1.2 million - only second to the largest migrant population of Indians. The majority are found in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively, while a significant population is spread out in Sharjah and the remaining Northern Emirates. Dubai alone accounts for a Pakistani population of 400,000.
Background
From the time when heavy Pakistani migration occurred to the Middle East, a number of Pakistanis went to the United Arab Emirates. While many tend to be skilled and semi-skilled professionals, most are unskilled migrant workers.
Pakistanis have integrated well within the society and contribute an important share to the country; the previous years have shown heavy investment in the UAE by Pakistanis. A recent statistical report cited by the president of the Pakistan-UAE Business Council revealed that there were currently 6,000 Pakistani companies actively operating in the country and Pakistanis had invested a total of 6.7 billion Dirhams in Dubai real estate alone.
Pakistani Professionals
According to the latest census there are 1.2mn Pakistanis in UAE. Pakistanis in UAE dominate the transport sector i.e. from logistics to crane operators and up to taxi drivers. There are many Pakistani bankers working in various local and multinational banks. It is not uncommon to find Pakistani Professionals working in various Multinationals in UAE. There are many Pakistani restaurants in UAE owned and run by these expatriate Pakistanis.
Community Representation
There are number of organisations which represent Pakistanis in UAE. Some of them are as follows:
1. Pakistan Business Council (PBC) 2. Pakistan Association of Dubai (PAD) 3. Pakistan Professional Wing. (PPW) 4. Youth Club of Pakistan (YCP) 5. Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Alumni UAE Chapter
Pakistan has enjoyed a close and strong historical relationship with the Middle-Eastern region, particularly Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Jordan, Yemen and Lebanon. Today there are over One million Pakistanis living and working in Saudi Arabia alone, with a similar number in other Arab Gulf region countries that constitute the Arab League. These ties were put to the test when a massive earth-quake hit Pakistan's Northern Areas in 2005 with Saudi Arabia & UAE promptly dispatching critical aid, not only in terms of medicine & essential supplies but massive injunction of billions of dollars for the reconstruction of the region. Pakistan also enjoys extensive cultural & defense/military ties with most of the Arab League member states. Pakistan also has extensive trade ties with Arab League states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE with Saudi Arabia ranking as Pakistan's second largest trading partner after the United States. With such close association to the Arab League, Pakistan was also invited by Russian President, Vladimir Putin in 2006 to the First Session of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group in 2006 in a bid to strengthen Moscow's ties with the big players in the Muslim world.
Army, Naval and Air Force cadets from many of the Arab League countries routinely enroll in training courses in Pakistan's well-recognized military academies while Pakistan Air Force pilots have flown Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian and Saudi fighter gets both in war (1967 & 1973 against Israel) & peacetime as part of their 'foreign deployments'. Units from the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force also serve allotted time periods in their respective fields in Saudi Arabia and UAE as instructors, maintenance crews, etc.
In 2007 Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf attended the Arab League summit held in Riyadh even though Pakistan had not yet gained 'Observer Member' status. Pakistan is currently in the stages of finalizing a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC countries, many of whom are also part of the Arab League while talks continue to grant Pakistan the 'Observer' status in the coming months. The country also has a long history of being an ardent supporter of several Arab causes, including Palestine, Iraq, Somalian crisis, etc.
There are over hundreds and thousands of Pakistanis in the Middle East, and many Arabs in Pakistan as well as Pakistani people who have historical Arabic origins.
Relations with Arab countries
JordanPakistan relations
JordanPakistan relations are the bilateral relations embedded between Pakistan and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Pakistan maintains an embassy in Amman whilst Jordan has an embassy established in Islamabad.
History
Pakistan-Jordan contacts began in the 1970s and 1980s, growing stronger since the mid-1990s. In 2001, Pakistani leaders visited Amman to discuss full-scale cooperation. The King of Jordan lauded what he called "deep, strong and historical relations" between the two countries and affirmed Jordan's keenness on consolidating its ties with Pakistan for the benefit of the two peoples.
On November 2 2007, King Abdullah II of Jordan visited Islamabad and held a formal meeting with the incumbent President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
In the meeting, Musharraf and Abdullah exchanged views on the overall evolution of regional and international situations, particularly in the Middle East. Concerns over the situation in Iraq were also pointed out, including the emerging sectarian and ethnic divides, and frequent incidents of sacrilegious attacks on holy sites.
Musharraf also spoke to King Abdullah about "Pakistans efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia" and for "addressing the challenges of extremism and terrorism." The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the development of the Pakistani-Jordanian bilateral relations in various fields, especially of the cooperation levels that had successfully been established in the economic and trade segments.
Trade and investment
As of 2004 and 2005, the trade volume between Pakistan and Jordan remained at $53.837 million, in which Pakistans exports stood at $21.013 million and imports were registered at $32.806 million. In the past, many Jordanian leaders have invited Pakistani investors to look into opportunities available in the energy and power sectors of Jordan. In June 2006, an initiation for the process of negotiations in concluding Free Trade Agreement and Protection and Promotion of Investments was scheduled and set during the 8th session of the Pak-Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission. During the session, discussions were also made on matters regarding the overall amount of cooperation in agriculture, science and technology as well as other areas.
Pakistanis in Jordan
Pakistanis in Jordan are either Pakistani people who live in Jordan, Pakistani immigrants to Jordan and people born in Jordan of Pakistani descent. The population of Pakistanis in Jordan, according to the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, is estimated to be up to 8,000. Most notable, Princess Sarvath El Hassan of Jordan is of Pakistani origin.
EgyptPakistan relations
The bilateral relations between Arab Republic of Egypt and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are warm, cordial and brotherly relations based on common bonds of religion, culture, values and commonality of interests. Modern relations traced back to 1947 when founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah paid a farewell visit to Egypt on the special invitation sent by King Fuad II. During the 1967 war, Pakistan stood with Egypt and sent its military aide, technicians, and personnel to aid the Egyptian military who was at the war with Israel.
History
Egypt and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1951, and since then they have maintained time-honored relations. Even before the independence of Pakistan, the only country that was visited by Muhammed Ali Jinnah was Egypt. In 1951, the two countries signed a friendship agreement, signifying the strong ties between the two countries. Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser, who visited Pakistan in 1960 for the first time, interfered to halt the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Pakistan played host to some Egyptian warships during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 Egyptian-Israeli war.
Bilateral Relations
Main article: Attack on the Egyptian Embassy in Pakistan
Pakistan and Egypt have close diplomatic and trade relations. Both countries are members of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), "the next eleven" and the "D8". The two countries are jointly coordinating on different fronts in international organizations, in September 2008, under the banner of OIC, Egypt and Pakistan, on behalf of the Muslim World, presented and sponsored a UN Human Rights Council Resolution to ban defaming of religion.
In 1974, President of Egypt Anwar Sadat visited Pakistan to attend the second OIC meeting held in Lahore, Pakistan, and generally supported Pakistan's plans to become a nuclear power. But, however, the relations with Pakistan went sour when Pakistan began ties with the former Soviet Union. The worsening of relations of Pakistan with the United States further played a key role. Nonetheless, the relations were normal with Egypt after the removal of Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. In 1980s, President Hosni Mubarak and President Zia-ul-Haq further enhance the relations; Egypt also played a vital role in Soviet war in Afghanistan where Egypt widely provided manpower (see Afghan Arabs) and military equipments to Afghan mujahideen in their fight against the Soviets. In 1988-90 and 199396, Egypt's relations were soured with Pakistan Peoples Party formerly led by Benazir Bhutto who was generally close with the Russia. In 1995, a disastrous car bombing took place in Islamabad that targeted the Egyptian Embassy. A massive manhunt was initiated by ISI and all assailants were arrested in 2001 and were extradite to Egypt. In 1998, Egypt was the only Muslim country to have give criticism to Pakistan's nuclear testings in a reply to India's.
Since 2001, Egypt continues to support Pakistan in its war against terrorism and tracking down the al-Qaeda operatives. In May 2009, Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister visited Islamabad to show Egypts support and solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan. Along with the visit, Egypt was the first country to send relief consignment for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and still sending humanitarian assistance to Pakistan for the same purpose. Pakistan Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani, on assuming his office, made his first trip abroad to Egypt, within a year time, Gilani visited Egypt again in July 2009.
Economic Relations
Economically, the volume of trade between the two countries increased by 55% in 2007-2008 to reach $313 millions, which still remains relatively low compared to the potentials and the close relations which both countries enjoy.In investment, among the different Egyptian enterprises investing in the Pakistani market, Orascom Telecom Holding is the owner of Mobilink, one of the largest telecommunication company in Pakistan with a total investment exceeding 2 billion USD. On the other side, several Pakistani investments in the field of textile industry are based now in Egypt.
Egypt and Pakistan have agreed to enhance the existing level of co-operation between the two countries which include economic and commercial relations, investment opportunities, co-operation in public and civil services, health sector, agriculture, and postal, both countries would further enhance their co-operation in the alternative energy sector particularly wind power generation. In addition, Egypt and Pakistan have started to open up new windows for cooperation in several fields, including agriculture, health, higher education, technical support, ICT, and others.
There are over 700 Pakistanis living in Egypt, mainly in Cairo and Alexandria. Relations are helped by the fact that both states are majority-Muslim and there is a strong people to people contact between both countries, Al-Azhar University continues to offer its 30 scholarships to the Pakistani students each year, this number will rise to 50 soon. Additionally, 30 Egyptian professors have been sent to teach at the International Islamic University in Islamabad. Furthermore, Pakistani scholars benefit from the scholarships offered by the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture.
Pakistanis in Egypt
Pakistanis in Egypt consist of migrants and expatriates from Pakistan in Egypt and their descendants. In 2004 alone, the population was estimated at 500, which rose to 700 by 2011. The community is mostly made up of recently settled families; the Pakistan International School of Cairo was established in 1981 and largely caters to Pakistani students.
In 2005, Egyptian police were in search of five Pakistani nationals who were required for inquiry along with 70 other individuals, in connection with details about a series of bombings in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik which left 88 dead. The incident was thought to affect the community with arising suspicion. According to former president Pervez Musharraf, many Pakistanis staying in Egypt tend to use it as a long-term route to travel to Europe to find jobs.
Notable people
Mohamed Khan - Egyptian filmmaker and actor
Salima Ikram
Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari - graduate of Jamia Al Azhar.
PakistanSaudi Arabia relations
The bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Pakistan are historically and internationally close and extremely friendly, occasionally described as constituting a special relationship.
As two of the world's leading Islamic states as well as the power brokers in the Muslim world, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have sought to develop extensive commercial, cultural, religious and strategic relations since the establishment of Pakistan in 1947. Even today, the relationships with the Saudi Arabia represents the most "important and bilateral partnership" in the current Foreign policy of Pakistan, working and seeking to develop closer bilateral ties with the Saudi Arabia, the largest country on the Arabian peninsula and home to the two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina and the destination of Muslim pilgrims from across the world.
Development of bilateral relations
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are leading members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Saudi Arabia was one of the strongest supporters of Pakistan during Pakistan's wars with India, especially opposing the creation of Bangladesh from Pakistan's eastern wing in 1971. While it had supported Pakistan's stance on the Kashmir conflict, it has since endorsed the Indo-Pakistani peace process. With Pakistan, it provided extensive financial and political support to the Taliban and the Afghan mujahideen fighting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. During the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War, Pakistan sent troops to protect the Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia, but strains developed when some Pakistani politicians and Gen. Mirza Aslam Beg, the then-chief of staff of the Pakistani army openly expressed support for Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq and its invasion of Kuwait. Along with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were the only states to recognise Taliban rule in Afghanistan. In May 1998, Saudi Arabia was the only country that was taken in complete confidence by Prime minister Navaz Sharif on Pakistan's decision on performing atomic test in Weapon-testing laboratories-III (WTL-III) in the region of the Chagai Hills. After the ordered the atomic tests (see codenames: Chagai-I and Chagai-II), Saudi Arabia, along with United Arab Emirates, were the only countries to backed Pakistan and congratulated the country for making the "bold decision". Furthermore, Saudi Arabia promised to supply 50,000 barrels per day of free oil to help Pakistan cope with likely economic sanctions in the aftermath.
Military cooperation
Pakistan maintains close military ties with Saudi Arabia, providing extensive support, arms and training for the Military of Saudi Arabia. Pilots of the Pakistan Air Force flew aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force to repel an incursion from South Yemen in 1969. In the 1970s and 1980s, approximately 15,000 Pakistani soldiers were stationed in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has negotiated the purchase of Pakistani ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. It is also speculated that Saudi Arabia secretly funded Pakistan's atomic bomb programme and seeks to purchase atomic weapons from Pakistan to enable it to counteract possible threats from arsenals of the weapons of mass destruction possessed by Iran, Iraq and Israel. Both nations have received high-level delegations of scientists, government and Saudi military experts of seeking to study the development of a Saudi nuclear programme.
Cultural and commercial ties
Saudi Arabia has also provided extensive religious and educational aid to Pakistan, being a major contributor to the construction of mosques and madrassas (religious schools) across Pakistan, the Faisal Mosque (dedicated to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia) in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Since 1947, the far-right political parties have been receiving funding for their political activities in the country. The major Pakistani city of Lyallpur was also renamed Faisalabad in honour of King Faisal in 1977. Saudi Arabia remains a major destination for immigration amongst Pakistanis, the number of whom living in Saudi Arabia stands between 900,000 and 1 million (see Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia). Saudi Arabia was a major supporter of the "Islamisation" programme of the military ruler Gen. Zia-ul-Haq in the 1970s. In 2006, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian decoration of Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia is the largest source of petroleum for Pakistan. It also supplies extensive financial aid to Pakistan and remittance from Pakistani migrants to Saudi Arabia is also a major source of foreign currency. In recent years, both countries have exchanged high-level delegations and developed plans to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, education, real estate, tourism, information technology, communications and agriculture. Saudi Arabia is aiding the development of trade relations with Pakistan through the Gulf Cooperation Council, with which Pakistan is negotiating a free trade agreement; the volume of trade between Pakistan and GCC member states in 2006 stood at USD 11 billion.
PakistanUnited Arab Emirates relations
Pakistani-Emirati relations refer to bilateral relations between Pakistan and United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan and the UAE enjoy extremely close and fraternal relations, founded on deep-rooted cultural affinities, shared faith and traditions, as also geographic proximity and identity of interests. These relations date back to the UAE's formation in 1971, and have since evolved into wide-ranging co-operation in various fields. UAE has been a major donor of economic assistance to Pakistan. UAE has been appreciative of Pakistan's contribution to the evolution of key institutions in the Emirates such as armed forces, police, health and education, and has reciprocated in the same friendly manner to the full satisfaction of Pakistan.
Frequent exchanges of high level visits and regular bilateral consultations between the two countries are reflective of the fact that Pakistan and UAE have laid strong foundations of mutually beneficial relations, friendship and peaceful cooperation over the years. The UAE has emerged as one of Pakistan's major economic and trading partners. A large number of Pakistani expatriates, numbering nearly 400,000 are gainfully employed in UAE. The Pakistani expatriates in UAE have contributed in a significant manner to promotion of bilateral understanding and to the economy of Pakistan through their home remittances.
Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates
Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates constitute a population of 1.2 million - only second to the largest migrant population of Indians. The majority are found in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively, while a significant population is spread out in Sharjah and the remaining Northern Emirates. Dubai alone accounts for a Pakistani population of 400,000.
Background
From the time when heavy Pakistani migration occurred to the Middle East, a number of Pakistanis went to the United Arab Emirates. While many tend to be skilled and semi-skilled professionals, most are unskilled migrant workers.
Pakistanis have integrated well within the society and contribute an important share to the country; the previous years have shown heavy investment in the UAE by Pakistanis. A recent statistical report cited by the president of the Pakistan-UAE Business Council revealed that there were currently 6,000 Pakistani companies actively operating in the country and Pakistanis had invested a total of 6.7 billion Dirhams in Dubai real estate alone.
Pakistani Professionals
According to the latest census there are 1.2mn Pakistanis in UAE. Pakistanis in UAE dominate the transport sector i.e. from logistics to crane operators and up to taxi drivers. There are many Pakistani bankers working in various local and multinational banks. It is not uncommon to find Pakistani Professionals working in various Multinationals in UAE. There are many Pakistani restaurants in UAE owned and run by these expatriate Pakistanis.
Community Representation
There are number of organisations which represent Pakistanis in UAE. Some of them are as follows:
1. Pakistan Business Council (PBC) 2. Pakistan Association of Dubai (PAD) 3. Pakistan Professional Wing. (PPW) 4. Youth Club of Pakistan (YCP) 5. Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Alumni UAE Chapter