UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has awarded Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, the prestigious First-Class Order of Zayed II for his distinguished diplomatic service and efforts in strengthening bilateral relations. The honour acknowledges Tirmizi's key role in fostering cooperation across multiple sectors and is a testament to decades of close UAE-Pakistan friendship.
UAE Recognition of Diplomatic Service
In a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi was presented with the First-Class Order of Zayed II by Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As reported by Farzana Raja of The Financial Daily, Al Marar conveyed the greetings and best wishes of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The honour was conferred in recognition of Ambassador Tirmizi’s dedicated efforts to strengthen the longstanding and brotherly ties between the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan.Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar praised Ambassador Tirmizi for his
commitment to enhancing relations between the two nations and highlighted the
important role the ambassador has played in expanding cooperation across
various sectors. The Minister of State reaffirmed the UAE's keenness to further
develop relations with Pakistan in all fields to serve the common interests of
both countries and peoples, as detailed by Khaled Saeed of Khaleej Times.
Ambassador Tirmizi’s Response and Acknowledgements
Expressing his gratitude, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said he was“overwhelmingly delighted and deeply humbled to receive this prestigious honour”
during the ceremony, as covered by Gulf News journalist Aisha Al Amri.
He extended his thanks on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan to
the UAE leadership for their ongoing support throughout his tenure. Tirmizi
also conveyed warm greetings from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz
Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq
Dar.
The ambassador emphasised that the honour was not a personal
achievement alone but reflected the collective efforts of his entire team at
the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General in Dubai, and the
vibrant Pakistani community across the Emirates. He recognised their dedication
as instrumental in further strengthening Pakistan-UAE bilateral relations.
Historical and Bilateral Context
According to the official statement by the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and Pakistan share deep-rooted relations marked by cooperation in trade, defence, and labour mobility. More than 1.7 million Pakistanis reside in the UAE, making them the second-largest expatriate community in the Gulf, and their remittances are a significant contributor to Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings.This award ceremony is emblematic not only of the close
diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries but also highlights
decades of partnership built on friendship and mutual support.
Ceremonial Details and Official Responses
The award was presented in a formal setting at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi by Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar. Al Marar also praised the ambassador’s role in consolidating bilateral cooperation during his tenure and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to continue strengthening relations with Pakistan at all levels, as reported by Mirza Hassan of Gulf Today.Ambassador Tirmizi additionally extended his appreciation to
all UAE government agencies that cooperated with him and his team, which he
said positively impacted the success of his mission to consolidate Pakistan-UAE
relations.