ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari Friday conferred the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Lt Gen Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithy, Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces, during a special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The citation read on the occasion said that Lt Gen Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithy is a sincere and close friend of Pakistan and has played a prominent role in expanding cooperation between the two nations. “In recognition of his professional achievements and endeavors for strengthening the friendship and cooperation between UAE and Pakistan Armed Forces and between the two countries, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been pleased to confer the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Lt Gen Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithy, Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces”, said the citation.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Secretary to President Ms. Nasreen Haque, Secretary Defence Lt Gen (r) Asif Yasin Malik, Foreign Secretary Mr. Jalil Abbas Jillani and other senior officials were present on the occasion besides Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar.
The UAE side included among others Mr. Essa Abdullah Al Basha Al Noaimi, Ambassador, Staff Brig Abdul Rehman Sabt Mubarak Al Murri, Director of Logistic, GHQ, Staff Brig. Khalaf Nasir Rashid Al Qubaisi, PSO to COS and Col (Staff) Ghanem Ali Ghanem Al-Ali, Military Attaché. Later, Lt Gen Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithy, along with delegation, called on the President.
Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President during the meeting highlighted close and fraternal relations between Pakistan and UAE, which he said were rooted in cultural affinities, shared faith, traditions and interests. He said that around 1.2 million Pakistani nationals working in UAE are a manifestation of the strong bonds that exist between the two countries.
The President expressed satisfaction over the ongoing collaboration between the UAE and Pakistan Armed Forces and the desire of the two forces to further cement these relations.
Spokesperson said that during meeting the President conveyed his best wishes to the UAE leadership and said that Pakistanis hold them in high esteem. He also extended invitation to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa to visit Pakistan at his convenience saying that the visit would further strengthen the existing bilateral relations and the bonds being enjoyed by the people of the two countries.