Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:43pm on 26 Jan 2026,Monday India Global
The United Arab Emirates has backed out of a plan to operate Islamabad International Airport after its president’s surprise visit to India. Pakistani media said the UAE lost interest in the project and did not name a local partner. Talks on the deal had been underway since August 2025. The move comes as India-UAE ties continue to grow. During the visit, the UAE president approved the release of 900 Indian prisoners. This was seen as a goodwill gesture. India and the UAE also agreed to deepen defence cooperation. A new defence framework is now planned. Observers say the decision reflects shifting regional ties and a decline in confidence in Pakistan’s infrastructure and governance. (PC: AFP)
