Qatar and Pakistan cemented their relations further after Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s successful two-day official visit. H H the Amir’s directives following the visit to allocate $3bn for new investments in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the form of deposits and direct investments will open new horizons for the development of bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that by announcing this support, the size of Qatari-Pakistani economic partnership will amount to $9bn. The support shows the confidence Qatar has in the strength of Pakistan’s economy and the vision and good management of the current government headed by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
H H the Amir also received a telephone call from Imran Khan wherein the latter expressed gratitude to H H the Amir for his directives to support Pakistan’s economy. For his part, H H the Amir expressed thanks and appreciation for the warm hospitality accorded to him during his visit to Pakistan. Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, thanked H H the Amir for the support and said the amount will help Pakistan overcome its economic challenges, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s announcement to grant visa on arrival for Qatari citizens will develop tourism sector in Pakistan.
Relations between Qatar and Pakistan are strong, deep, progressing and continuously growing. Qatar and Pakistan are also important economic partners and the volume of trade exchange between the two countries are increasing by the day.
At an official talks session during the visit, the Pakistan Prime Minister greeted H H the Amir, expressing hope that His Highness’ visit would contribute to cementing and developing the friendship relations between the two countries. He noted that the great successes Qatar has achieved in different fields, which will be conducive to further joint cooperation. In turn, H H the Amir expressed happiness to visit Pakistan and also voiced confidence that the visit would constitute a platform for strategic cooperation that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples.
During the visit, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, conferred ‘Nishan-e-Pakistan’, Pakistan’s highest civil award, on H H the Amir, as an expression of the depth of the historical relations between Qatar and Pakistan. The two sides discussed aspects of enhancing relations in various fields, especially in economy, trade, investment, energy, tourism and education that serve the interests of the two countries. Three Memoranda of Understanding were signed.
Pakistan is one of Qatar’s gas consumers. H H the Amir’s historic visit to Pakistan will create new prospects for bilateral cooperation in the future.
