LAHORE: Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani has promised to make investment in various sectors of development in Pakistan besides helping Islamabad end its energy crisis.

The Emir of Qatar made the announcement during a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday. The Punjab chief minister is on a two-day official visit to Qatar.

According to a handout, it was agreed in the meeting to promote relations between Pakistan and Qatar and expand economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

The Emir of Qatar said that he was deeply interested in progress and stability of Pakistan. He further said that besides meeting gas requirements of Pakistan, Qatar would also cooperate in agriculture, power generation and skilled manpower sectors. The Emir of Qatar further said that his country was fully aware of the problems being faced by Pakistan in the energy sector and would extend maximum cooperation for ridding Pakistani brethren of the power shortage. He said that Qatar was ready to welcome skilled and experienced people from Pakistan in various sectors. The Emir of Qatar further said that his country highly appreciated recent efforts made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for strengthening the Pak-Qatar friendship.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sharif said that Qatar was extending commendable cooperation to Pakistan in resolving the energy crisis and it was hoped that Pakistan would be able to overcome the loadshedding with the help of its friendly countries. He especially thanked the Emir of Qatar for extending support to Pakistan at international economic forums.

Later, Mr Sharif met Foreign Minister of Qatar Dr Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah. The foreign minister said it was a matter of satisfaction that a new era of Pak-Qatar friendship had started and its positive impact would soon be visible in both countries. He said that cooperation between Qatar and Pakistan would further increase in different sectors in future. He said that there was a vast scope of cooperation between Qatar and Pakistan in energy, human resource, manpower, agriculture and other sectors. He said that Qatar was fully aware of Pakistan’s importance and its role in the region and the government, leadership and the people of Qatar wanted to see Pakistan a prosperous and developed country.

Federal Minister of Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Musaddaq Malik and Ambassador of Pakistan in Qatar Shahzad Ahmad also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2014