Qatar to open two more visa centres: envoy

KARACHI: Consul General of Qatar Mishal Muhammad Ali Al Ansari has said two Qatari visa centres were already operational in Karachi and Islamabad, while two more would be established in Peshawar and Lahore in future for processing visas of mostly skilled and semi-skilled labours.

Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he said, “Around 150,000 Pakistanis are living in Qatar as compared to around 40,000 Pakistani expats just four years ago.” The envoy said Qatar has initiated visa on arrival service for all Pakistanis, and Qataris were also benefiting from a similar visa on arrival facility during their visit to Pakistan.

“We’ve opened up the country and are looking for partners from all over the world. We’ve also eased the restrictions and regulations for anyone who wants to do business in Qatar. There are numerous sectors where no local Qatari partner is required anymore while Qatari banks are also fully assisting such foreign investors,” he added. Pakistan exports fruits, vegetables, fish, rice, minerals, steel and cement to Qatar, and was one of the fastest growing partner of Qatar in the region.

Qatari CG pointed out that 90 percent of Qatari imports from Saudi Arabia and Emirates were suspended because of the blockade imposed around two years ago. Subsequently, they partnered with other countries including Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India, besides focusing on becoming self-sufficient in numerous sectors.

“A lot of changes happened in Qatar during the last two years. We are now self-sufficient and not relying on anyone in the dairy, poultry, farming sectors. Our farms have increased production by almost a thousand percent and all the major vegetables are also being grown in Qatar now. Even our fish farms have now tripled as compared to what they were before the blockade,” he added.

Keeping in view the recent developments, he was fairly optimistic that the blockade would ease up which would create a much better situation for Qatar. “There was an effect, which I cannot deny but now we are doing well without them and with them (Saudi Arabia and Emirates), we will do great,” Ansari said.