The United Arab Emirates' investor Prince Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan has been invested by President Pervez Musharraf with the highest civil award, Hilal-e-Pakistan in recognition of his interests in the development of Pakistan. The prestigious award was pinned by President Musharraf on the gold-coloured Abaya, and Prince Nahyan was given the sash of the honour at a special investiture held at his Rawalpindi residence on Thursday. Nahyan, son of Sheikh Mubarak bin Mohammed al-Nahyan and a nephew of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan (ruler of Abu Dhabi and founder-President of the United Arab Emirates), is visiting Islamabad for the launch of his new interest here - Al-Warid Telecommunications Limited that operates Warid, the sixth mobile phone service.
Sheikh Nahyan presides over the Abu Dhabi Group that has a substantial shareholding in Bank Alfalah and UBL. In brief remarks later, President Musharraf spoke of his discussions with Sheikh Nahyan during which the latter had shown interest in some more projects, including construction of a huge shopping mall in the country. He said the award symbolised Pakistan's recognition of the contribution Sheikh Nahyan had already made in promotion of economic bonds between the two countries.
The Abu Dhabi group has a diversified field of interests in various countries around the world, that range from investments in real estate, hospitals, telecommunications, oil explorations and supplies, to automobile industry and financing. President Musharraf ruled out any change of government, stating that general elections would be held in 2007.