ISLAMABAD: The visit of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Islamabad that was due today (Monday) has been postponed, the PM Office said.

“Due to weather conditions, President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the friendly Islamic Republic of Pakistan scheduled for today has been postponed to a later date,” a PMO statement said.

The visit to the capital would be rescheduled, it said, adding that the new dates would be announced soon.

It stated that the UAE president contacted PM Shehbaz and expressed his dismay at the postponement. In his response, the premier said that the “guest’s safety and protection were dearer to him and a risk could not be taken in extreme weather conditions”.

Al-Nahyan assured PM Shehbaz he would soon visit Islamabad on a two-day visit.

The UAE president arrived in Pakistan on January 25. The premier welcomed him at the Rahim Yar Khan airport. A meeting was also held between the two leaders in the city.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development rolled over a $2 billion deposit with the State Bank of Pakistan that was payable over the next two months January 19, as discussed by PM Shehbaz with the UAE president during last week’s official visit.