UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has died, the official news agency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Friday.
According to reports, the death will be accompanied by a total of 40 days of mourning and three days of public holidays. During all the holidays, the national flag will stay at half-mast.
Both the public and private sectors will have three days of holidays.
Al Nahyan, 73, was the ruler of the UAE since November 3, 2004 and took over the leadership after the death of his father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Twitter that he was deeply grieved to hear about the UAE president’s passing. He added that Sheikh Al Nahyan was a visionary leader and a “great friend” of Pakistan.
The Inter-Services Public Relations stated that the chief of army staff and all ranks of Pakistan Army expressed “heartfelt condolence” on the “sad demise” of the president of UAE.
“Pak has lost a great friend. May Allah Almighty bless his soul & give strength to bereaved family 2 [sic] bear this irreparable loss, Ameen,” the military’s media wing quoted COAS General Bajwa as saying.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto also expressed “heartfelt and deepest condolences” on the UAE president’s demise.
