Here’s the thing: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are stepping up cooperation to fast-track reforms in government sectors. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding in mid-2025 for “Government Experience Exchange,” and now they’re following up with a clear action plan. The goal is to modernize public services, improve governance, and make service delivery smoother for citizens. This matters because better systems mean less red tape, more efficiency, and more trust in government.
⚡ Highlights
- Pakistan and UAE signed an MoU focused on mutual government experience exchange in June 2025.
- Both sides have reviewed knowledge-exchange sessions—some held in UAE, others virtually.
- Key goals include institutional reform, modern governance, improved service delivery.
- There’s commitment to follow through with close coordination and timely implementation.
What Led Up to the Action Plan
Let me walk you through how this came about.
Back in June 2025, Pakistan and UAE sealed the MoU on Mutual Government Experience Exchange. The idea was to share what each country has learned about governance, public services, digital tools, capacity building, and reform. Pakistan, for example, is focused on its “Uraan Pakistan” initiative, aiming to modernize its economy and government systems by 2047.
Then recently, officials met again—this time Bilal Azhar Kayani (State Minister for Finance & Railways and head of Pakistan’s PMDU) met Abdulla Nasser Lootah (Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs, UAE) in Dubai. They reviewed what’s been done so far—knowledge exchanges, virtual and in-person sessions—and agreed on what comes next.
What’s in the Action Plan: Key Focus Areas
Here are the major reform targets in the plan, as far as I could gather:
| Reform Area | What They’re Planning |
|---|---|
| Institutional Reform | Strengthening government institutions via shared learning and best practices. |
| Service Delivery | Making public services faster, more transparent, citizen-friendly. |
| Digital Governance & Technology | Using digital tools, AI, platforms like UAE’s for better outcomes. |
| Knowledge Exchange & Capacity Building | Training, workshops, virtual and in-person sessions. |
| Coordination & Timely Implementation | Both countries emphasised keeping each other updated and making sure actions happen on schedule. |
Why This Matters for Pakistan
You might ask: why is this a big deal? Here’s why:
- Government services are often the first touchpoint citizens have with the state. If those are inefficient, frustrating, or opaque, people lose trust. Improving them helps everyday life.
- Learning from UAE is useful because they’ve pushed ahead in digital governance, AI, and efficient public-service frameworks. Pakistan can adapt and avoid some of the trial-and-error.
- Reforming institutions and increasing transparency can help reduce corruption, speed up processes, and improve foreign investment climate.
- Capacity building (training staff, using new tech) matters because systems are only as good as the people running them.
Latest Update (as of October 2025)
- Pakistan’s government and UAE have reaffirmed their commitment to the action plan.
- They’ve reviewed what has been done so far—knowledge exchanges, both virtual and in UAE—and are pushing to ensure follow-ups are timely and effective.
- Emphasis is on transforming governance, improving service delivery, and modernizing public institutions. Plan is not just to plan but to act.
FAQs
Q: What is “Mutual Government Experience Exchange” between Pakistan and UAE?
A: It’s an agreement where both countries share what works in governance, public services, digital tools, institutional reform, etc. Helps both learn from each other.
Q: What is Uraan Pakistan and how is it related?
A: Uraan Pakistan is Pakistan’s vision/plan for transforming its economy and governance up to 2029 and beyond. Reform cooperation with UAE supports several of its goals.
Q: What sectors are likely to improve first?
A: Digital governance, service delivery, and capacity building seem to be the front-runners. Things like using AI, better citizen-government interaction tools, and institution strengthening.
Q: Does this mean Pakistan copies UAE?
A: Not copying, more adapting. Picking what works for Pakistani context. They’ll take lessons, platforms, practices, and tweak them to local needs.
Final Thoughts & What to Watch Next
Here’s the bottom line: this action plan between Pakistan and UAE could bring meaningful change if it’s carried out well. The shared commitment is there. Now what matters is execution.