*ISLAMABAD – Pakistan responds over UAE awarding top civilian award toIndian PM Narendra Modi *

Pakistan has quietly lodged a protest with the United Arab Emirates (UAE)over the Gulf state bestowing its highest civilian award on Indian PrimeMinister Narendra Modi at a time when his government was involved in gravehuman rights violations in the occupied Kashmir.

Although, no official statement was issued by the Foreign Office over theunprecedented move by Pakistan, diplomatic sources confirmed to *TheExpress Tribune* that the UAE ambassador was called to the Foreign Officejust days before Modi’s visit to the Gulf state.

The sources said the UAE envoy was conveyed Islamabad’s ‘serious concerns’over the Gulf state’s decision to honour Modi with the Order of Zayed medal.

Pakistan had asked the UAE to review its decision in view of the Modigovernment revoking the semi-autonomous status of the disputed territoryand imposing heavy restrictions on movement and a communication blockadethere.

However, the UAE went ahead with its decision to bestow the award on Modi.

Nevertheless, Pakistan summoning the UAE envoy was a rare incident giventhe fact that the two countries have long enjoyed close ties.