Pakistan pledges support to UAE for food shipments amid Middle East crisis

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with United Arab Emirates Consul General Bakheet Ateeq Alremaithi on Friday to discuss the delivery of food and essential commodities to the Gulf state amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The meeting comes as supply chains across the region face disruptions due to US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Tehran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and attacks on US interests in Gulf countries.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz directed Pakistani authorities to develop a plan for exporting surplus food and commodities to friendly Middle Eastern nations in response to the evolving regional situation.

During Friday’s discussions, both sides emphasized cooperation and logistics support. “The prime minister offered full cooperation to the UAE in view of the situation in the region,” the UAE consulate said in a statement, noting special attention to the delivery of vegetables, fruits, meat, and other essential goods.

Following the meeting, officials from Pakistan’s commerce ministry held talks with the UAE consul general, reaffirming the country’s readiness to facilitate shipments.

Separately, the consul general engaged with representatives from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, local airlines, and officials from Emirates Airlines and FlyDubai. Emirates Airlines currently operates 53 weekly flights between Pakistan and the UAE, carrying 15 tons of goods per flight, with the capacity to arrange special flights for commercial and humanitarian purposes if required.