UAE’s New Ambassador to Pakistan, Maj. Gen. (R) Salem Al-Bawab Al-Zaabi, Arrives in Islamabad

Islamabad: The newly appointed Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Pakistan, His Excellency Maj. Gen. (R) Salem Mohammad Salem Al-Bawab Al-Zaabi, arrived in Islamabad on Monday morning via a Fly Dubai international flight.
Ambassador Al-Zaabi succeeds His Excellency Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salim Al-Zaabi, who concluded his successful tenure in Pakistan last month and has since been posted to Egypt. During his term, Ambassador Hamad Al-Zaabi played a significant role in further strengthening the close and brotherly relations between the UAE and Pakistan, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, and people-to-people ties.
The arrival of the new ambassador marks another chapter in the longstanding and multifaceted relations between the two brotherly nations. Pakistan and the UAE share deep-rooted ties founded on shared values, cultural affinity, and mutual respect.
Ambassador-designate Salem Al-Bawab Al-Zaabi is expected to present his credentials to the President of Pakistan in the coming days. He will begin his diplomatic engagements aimed at further enhancing bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including economy, defence, and regional development.

Background of Ambassador Salem Al-Bawab Al-Zaabi
Born on April 22, 1962, in Al Zaab Island, His Excellency Salem Mohammad Salem Al-Bawab Al-Zaabi has had a distinguished career in both military and diplomatic service. A graduate of the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, he later attended the Command and Staff College of the United States Marine Corps in 1993, where he further honed his strategic and leadership skills.
He joined the UAE Armed Forces in 1979 and steadily rose through the ranks, serving in several key command and policy roles before retiring with the rank of Major General. Over the years, he represented the UAE in various international defence and security forums, including as Military Attaché in France and as Liaison Officer to NATO.
Following his retirement from military service, Ambassador Al-Zaabi transitioned to diplomacy, joining the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2017 to 2023, he served as Director of the International Security Cooperation Department, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the UAE’s global security partnerships. In 2023, he was appointed as Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and later served as the UAE’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan.
Fluent in both Arabic and English, Ambassador Al-Zaabi is known for his strategic insight and commitment to fostering international cooperation. His appointment as Ambassador to Pakistan underscores the UAE’s intent to further deepen its diplomatic, economic, and defence ties with Islamabad.