Dubai: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi will pay a three day visit to the UAE starting tomorrow. The minister will address the Pakistan Focus Group in Dubai.

Pakistan's Ambassador-at-Large Javed Malek said the idea of the Pakistan Focus Group meeting is to further strengthen people to people contacts and to promote a positive image of Pakistan in the region. The Foreign Minister will also take part in the 'Forum for the Future' conference being held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The Foreign Minister will hold discussions about the 'Friends of Pakistan' conference, to be held in the UAE next month. The US, UAE, United Kingdom, China and other G-8 nations hosted the first Friends of Pakistan conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month and agreed to hold a substantive meeting in the UAE afterwards.

Cultural ties

"Pakistan and the UAE already share a deep rooted and strong bond of friendship. Our economic, social and cultural ties provide an excellent basis for cooperation, and the Foreign Minister's visit will sure boost these ties," said Malek.

Leading UAE personalities, top businessmen, and other distinguished members are expected to take part in the Forum Pakistan meeting.

He said that some initiatives would be launched on the occasion, including Pakistan UAE Friendship Society and Global Pakistani Awards, among others.