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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s envoy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, attended an event to commemorate a new Guinness World Record set by the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) by creating the largest UAE flag using human handprints, his office said on Thursday.

PAD is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization established in the 1960s to serve the Pakistani expatriate community in the UAE by promoting social welfare, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting community development among the Pakistani diaspora.

“These are not merely handprints but heart prints, an expression of the community’s love, unity and dedication,” the Pakistan Embassy in the UAE quoted Tirmizi as saying.

“This initiative beautifully aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and stands as a testament to the deep-rooted relationship between the Pakistani community and the UAE.”

The flag featured 24,514 human handprints contributed by people from over 100 nationalities and was unveiled in the presence of Pakistani and Emirati community members.

The record-breaking project, led by PAD, Emirates Loves Pakistan (ELP), and artist Rubab Zahra, was completed during a month-long campaign that began on Apr. 13 in Al Quoz, Dubai, the statement said.

On the occasion, PAD President Dr. Faisal Ikram expressed gratitude to all the contributors and volunteers.

“This record-breaking effort symbolizes the unity and spirit of cooperation that defines our community and perfectly embodies the essence of the Year of Community 2025,” the embassy quoted him as saying.

Pakistani expatriates in Dubai play a vital role in strengthening ties between Pakistan and the UAE, contributing significantly to the economies of both countries.

KARACHI: Pakistan on Thursday sought the World Bank’s technical assistance to fast track the implementation of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) discussed between the two sides earlier this year, according to an official statement circulated by the finance ministry.

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors endorsed the framework in January, aiming to support Pakistan’s long-term development by building human capital, promoting private sector-led growth and enhancing climate resilience through up to $20 billion in pledged lending over the next decade.

A World Bank delegation led by Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde met with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad during the day to review the Bank’s financing portfolio and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

“We are focused on ensuring that climate resilience and sustainable development remain at the heart of our economic planning,” Aurangzeb said, according to the statement. “The CPF represents an important opportunity, and we aim to implement it with full coordination across key ministries and stakeholders.”

The finance ministry said Aurangzeb requested the visiting delegation “to provide technical leadership and assistance to streamline processes and ensure a prioritized and focused rollout of the CPF.”

Bjerde praised Pakistan for continuing with difficult economic reforms under challenging circumstances and for aligning its growth with environmental sustainability.

She also reiterated the Bank’s support for initiatives in areas such as taxation, energy and social protection, while emphasizing girls’ education and women’s empowerment as critical to human capital and economic resilience.

Later in the day, the delegation also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to a separate statement circulated by Sharif’s office, the prime minister welcomed the delegation and thanked the World Bank for playing a key role in the country’s development.

“We are grateful to the World Bank for the Country Partnership Framework, under which development investments exceeding $20 billion will be made in Pakistan,” he said.

Bjerde, in turn, commended Pakistan’s macroeconomic performance and recent stabilization efforts, describing the CPF as a “model” for other countries.

The meeting was also attended by federal ministers, advisers, parliamentarians and senior government officials along with World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine.