Pak-Qatar energy, defence, trade ties to grow

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to take measures to enhance trade and strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy, defence and manpower. This was decided in the talks between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and visiting Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani here at the PM House on Monday.
Doha also expressed its interest in enhancing the number of Pakistanis working in Qatar on various development projects they plan to undertake for hosting the FIFA 2022 World Cup. While talking to the Emir, the prime minister said Pakistan holds Qatar in very high esteem and wishes to enhance cooperation in all fields, particularly in energy, trade, investment, defence and manpower. He said that Pakistan and Qatar enjoy close and brotherly relations.
The prime minister lauded the personal contribution of the Emir in transforming Qatar into one of the most attractive destinations in the world. Qatar’s progress is remarkable, enviable and a matter of pride for us as a brotherly country, he said.
“I was waiting for your highness’s visit to Pakistan, like a brother waits for a brother,” he said. He said Pakistan invites Qatari investment in Pakistan in all areas, adding that our bilateral trade of less than US$300 million per annum is much below its potential.
Prime Minister Nawaz said Qatar is home to more than 100,000 Pakistanis whose remittances are making a valuable contribution to the socio-economic development of Pakistan. Pakistan would appreciate if Pakistani manpower in Qatar is substantially enhanced, he said. The premier said this visit of the Emir of Qatar will provide fresh impetus to bilateral relations between the two countries.
Nawaz himself received the Emir and members of his delegation at Islamabad airport where he was accorded a warm welcome, including a 21-gun salute and guard of honour. The Emir is visiting Pakistan for the first time after assuming the throne in 2013. He is on official visit to Pakistan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had extended him the invitation for it.
The Emir said Qatar attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and that it is a very important country not only for Qatar but also for the region. He expressed the confidence that his visit will open many doors for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The Emir said Qatar would also positively look into opportunities available in Pakistan for investment including the energy sector. Both sides also agreed to enhance exchange of visits at various levels to promote bilateral relations and for following upon the decisions taken by the two leaders.
The Emir was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including cabinet ministers, chairman of Qatar Airways and senior government officials.
During the delegation level talks both sides discussed ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields including energy, investment, trade, defence and manpower. Regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern also came under discussion. The Qatar delegation comprised Dr Khaled Bin Mohamed Al-Attiya, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Dr. Mohammed Saleh Al-Sada; Minister for Energy & Industry; Ali Shareef Al-Emadi, Minister for Finance; Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassem Bin Mohammed Al-Tahni, Minister for Economy and Trade; Sheikh Khaled Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chief the Emiri Dewan; Ali Bin Fahd Al-Hajri, Secretary of the Emir for Political Affairs; Akber Al-Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways; Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Hajri, Director of Studies and Research Deptt; and Saqr Bin Mubarak Al-Mansouri, Ambassador of Qatar.
From the Pakistani side the following attended the delegation level talks: Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Defence/ Water & Power; Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance; Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister for Petroleum; Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to PM on National Security; Syed Tariq Fatemi, SAPM; Capt Shujaat Azim, SAPM; the foreign secretary and Pakistan’s ambassador to Qatar.
The two sides also signed three agreements to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation existing between the two countries in various fields. These included Agreement of Cooperation in the field of Culture (Signed by Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar Dr Khaled bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah), Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Youth and Sports (Signed by Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Dr Khaled bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah) and First Executive Programme for Cooperation in the Fields of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research for the Cultural, Scientific, Technical, Educational and Media Cooperation Agreement (Signed by Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Dr Khaled bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah)
Later, the prime minister hosted a banquet in honour of the Emir which was attended by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, cabinet ministers, services chiefs, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Leader of Opposition in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan, Leader of House in Senate Raja Zafar ul Haq, Political Secretary to PM Dr Syed Asif Saeed Kirmani, members of Qatari delegation along with senior government officials.
PPI adds: Immediately after his arrival in Islamabad, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani met President Mamnoon Hussain at Aiwan-e-Sadr.They exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interests. The two leaders had discussion on prospects of cooperation in trade, energy and investment sectors.
The president and Emir of Qatar agreed on the need to increase cooperation in different sectors. Mamnoon Hussain referred to the current level of trade between the two countries and said there is great potential to jack it up further.
The Emir of Qatar said his country wants a stable and secure Pakistan and would extend all possible cooperation for the purpose. He said his visit symbolises closer ties between the two countries.Sheikh Tamim said doors of his country are open for Pakistani experts.