Pakistani diplomats and residents in the UAE gathered on Saturday to celebrate the country’s 75th Independence Day.
The Pakistani flag was raised at the country's embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate general in Dubai to mark the occasion.
Officials in both emirates made speeches to celebrate when British colonial rule ended and Pakistan became a sovereign nation on August 14, 1947.
The officials also read messages from Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“This [Independence Day] was a result of political, democratic and constitutional struggle of our forefathers under the able and selfless leadership of [Pakistan's founder] Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” said Afzaal Mahmood, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE.
He thanked the Pakistani community in the Emirates and said they were playing an important role in supporting the national economy and improving ties between the countries.
More than a million Pakistani citizens call the UAE their home.
The Emirates has the world's second-largest Pakistani resident population, behind Saudi Arabia.
“On the government’s part, we would continue to intensify co-operation with the UAE through closer government-to-government and people-to-people contacts,” Mr Mahmood said.
UAE leaders congratulate Pakistan
President Sheikh Khalifa sent a message of congratulations to President Arif Alvi of Pakistan on his country's Independence Day.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, echoed these sentiments in similar messages of support.
Pakistani consul general Hassan Afzal Khan also paid a tribute to Jinnah during a speech in Dubai.
“Our great guide Muhammad Ali Jinnah had envisioned a democratic, tolerant and progressive Pakistan where every citizen in our country will utilise his or her faculties to the fullest and could really benefit from the social economic benefits of the country,” Mr Khan said.
“He strived and stood for the rule of law, and the establishment of our decadent democratic equality. Let us on this day rededicate ourselves to those ideals, and reassess as to what extent we have achieved those goals.
“Undoubtedly, our beautiful country is blessed with every gift of nature. We have all the ingredients to carve out our own destiny, and rise as a successful nation of the world.”
He thanked the UAE government for standing in solidarity with Pakistan “during good and bad times”.
Mr Khan tweeted his congratulations on Independence Day.
He said the country’s focus was on environmental initiatives, reviving the economy and tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have surmounted monumental challenges during the course of our history to emerge as a united, peaceful and resilient nation," he said.
"Even today, the changing regional dynamics, along with some domestic issues, continue to test our resolve. Like each time, we will also overcome these obstacles with our characteristic determination and come out stronger as a nation.
“Pakistan today can stand tall among the comity of nations. Our policies towards reviving the economy, handling the pandemic and protecting the environment have received universal acclaim."
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECVT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E119bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E145Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh%2C89%2C900%20(%2424%2C230)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
