Pakistan humiliated: UAE abandons Islamabad Airport deal after Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s 3-hour India visit | World News
The United Arab Emirates has abandoned its bid to operate Islamabad International Airport, weeks after UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a three-hour stopover in New Delhi that resulted in major defense and energy deals with India.
The decision was also confirmed by Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune, which cited sources who said the UAE had failed to identify a local partner to outsource airport operations despite initial interest since August 2025.
No political reason was given but the timing raises questions
Add Zee News as Preferred Source
The Pakistani media report did not attribute the collapse to political factors. But the timing comes amid rising tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, once among the Gulf’s closest allies but now backing rival factions in Yemen.
This development also came as Pakistan signed a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia in September 2025 that treats an attack on one as an attack on both. Meanwhile, the UAE signed new defense agreements with India.
India-UAE defense and energy agreements
During Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s visit to Delhi earlier this month, India and the UAE signed a Letter of Intent for the conclusion of the Strategic Defense Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UAE President agreed that the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has entered a “more ambitious and multi-dimensional phase”.
India also signed a $3 billion deal to buy liquefied natural gas from the UAE, making New Delhi Abu Dhabi’s largest LNG customer. The agreement includes nuclear cooperation, the development and deployment of “major nuclear reactors” and nuclear safety protocols.
In a goodwill gesture, the UAE approved the release of 900 Indian prisoners following the presidential visit.
Deteriorating Pakistan-UAE relations
Nearly four decades ago, the UAE was among Pakistan’s largest trading partners, employing thousands of Pakistani workers in many sectors. The relationship has since deteriorated due to security issues, licensing disputes and Pakistan’s aging infrastructure.
Poor management and political interference have led to heavy losses in Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises. Islamabad privatized Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last year due to financial distress.
Despite the UAE’s proven ability to manage airports in challenging environments, including Afghanistan, the decision to withdraw from the Islamabad Airport project represents a significant loss of confidence in Pakistan’s economic sustainability.
Strategic implications
For Pakistan, the UAE’s withdrawal increases economic difficulties and signals a waning interest among its traditional Gulf partners. The contrast with India’s expanding UAE relationship, which includes defence, energy and nuclear cooperation, underscores shifting geopolitical priorities in the region.
