ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that Pakistan held Qatar in high esteem and wanted to boost cooperation with it in all fields, particularly energy, trade, investment, defence and manpower.

He was talking to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, at the PM House. The emir is on his first official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of the prime minister.

Earlier, the premier received the Qatari ruler and members of his delegation at Nur Khan Airbase, where he was accorded a warm welcome, including a 21-gun salute and guard of honour. The Emir was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including members of his cabinet and the chief of Qatar Airways.

The prime minister said Pakistan and Qatar enjoyed close and brotherly relations.

He said Pakistan wanted more Qatari investment in different areas, adding that the bilateral trade of less than $300 million per year was much below its potential.

He said that Qatar was home to more than 100,000 Pakistani nationals whose remittances were making a valuable contribution to socio-economic development of the country. Pakistan would appreciate if its manpower in Qatar was substantially increased, he said.

The Qatari ruler expressed interest in increasing the number of Pakistanis working for development projects his country has undertaken for hosting the 2022 Football World Cup.

The two sides agreed to take measures to increase trade and strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence and manpower.

Prime Minister Sharif said that the visit of the Qatari Emir would give an impetus to bilateral ties.

The Emir said that his country attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan as it was an important country not only for Qatar but also for the region.

He expressed confidence that his visit would open doors for strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The Emir said that Qatar would look into investment opportunities available in Pakistan, including those in energy sector.

The two sides agreed to promote exchange of visits at different levels to promote bilateral relations and follow the decisions taken by the two leaders.

They agreed to expand cooperation in energy, defence, trade, manpower and other areas of mutual interest.

During the delegation-level talks, the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in different fields, including energy, investment, trade, defence and manpower. Regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern also came under discussion.

The Qatari delegation comprised, among others, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Khaled Bin Mohamed Al Attiya, Energy and Industry Minister Dr Mohammed Saleh Al Sada, Finance Minister Ali Shareef Al Emadi and Minister for Economy Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassem Bin Mohammed Al Thani

The Pakistani delegation included Minister for Defence and Water and Power Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Adviser to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to the PM.

AGREEMENT: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and the Qatari minister for foreign affairs signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of culture.

Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, and the Qatari minister signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of youth and sports.

The two ministers signed another MoU on the first executive programme for cooperation in education, scientific research and the media.

Later, the prime minister hosted a banquet in honour of the Qatari ruler. It was attended by some members of his cabinet, the services’ chiefs, Leader of House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq, Leader of Opposition in the Senate Aitzaz Ahsan, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and members of the Qatari delegation.

Earlier during their one-on-one meeting, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani invited President Mamnoon Hussain to visit Qatar.

Published in Dawn March 24th , 2015

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