ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has emphasised that close and regular coordination between Pakistan and Qatar would be helpful in the ongoing efforts to achieve a broad regional understanding for long-term stability in Afghanistan and the region.

During his daylong visit to Doha on Sunday, the foreign minister briefed the Qatari leadership on recent developments concerning peace in Afghanistan and underlined the foresight of the Qatari emir in providing an early foundation for peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan.

Mr Qureshi called on Deputy Emir of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani. He also held a meeting with his Qatari counterpart and Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani.

The Qatari deputy emir reiterated his country’s desire for working to achieve peace and stability in the region.

The two sides stressed the importance of synergy to overcome common hurdles and devise a consensus-based approach to achieve wider regional development and progress, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Qatari firms offered investment in special economic zones under CPEC and joint ventures

They expressed satisfaction over the improvement in relations between Pakistan and Qatar, reflected in exchange of recent high-level visits starting with the visit of the Qatari foreign minister to Islamabad in October. This was followed by visits to Doha of Pakistan’s minister of state for interior the same month and of the finance minister and the army chief this month.

Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted Prime Minister Imran Khan’s desire to strengthen relations with important regional countries and neighbours, including Qatar.

As part of high-level engagements, the prime minister is now due to visit Doha on mutually agreed dates next month.

The foreign minister assured the Qatari leadership of Pakistan’s commitment to further solidifying political, economic and defence relations. He said the opening of Qatar visa centres in Pakistan would fast-track the process of recruitment of 100,000 Pakistani workers by Qatar.

He offered the services of professional Pakistani workforce for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Qatar is already home to 140,000 Pakistani workers, who provide a strong bond in bilateral brotherly relations.

Both sides agreed to further speed up progress in economic, trade and investment sectors. It was noted that an increase in Pakistan’s exports to Qatar by 70.53 per cent, mainly due to exports of food items during the last financial year, was a highly encouraging achievement. The export trend now needed to be replicated in export of non-perishable items as well. Pharmaceuticals, construction, shipping and maritime sectors held the best potential in this regard.

Pakistan offered considerable investment opportunities for Qatari companies in special economic zones under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and for joint ventures. It was agreed that potential avenues would be explored during upcoming JMC and Bilateral Political Consultations in the first quarter of 2019 in Doha.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani thanked Foreign Minister Qureshi for his visit to Qatar and conveyed his best wishes for continued peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan. He reiterated the desire of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to strengthen relations with Pakistan in all areas, particularly to achieve regional peace and stability as well as to promote bilateral economic and cultural cooperation.

He reiterated that Qatar’s commitment of brotherhood with Pakistan was beyond doubt and the relationship could only move from strength to strength. Qatar hoped that the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan would add a fresh chapter to the bilateral ties, he added.

Later addressing the Pakistani community at the Pakistan Embassy, Foreign Minister Qureshi assured them that they would get good news soon as the country had been put in the right direction. He said the government had formally launched an economic diplomacy and his visit was part of that initiative, according to the PTI’s official Twitter handle.

The foreign minister resolved that the government would steer the country out of the economic crisis through prudent strategies. He said Pakistan enjoyed cordial ties with the Gulf states, including Qatar which was also home to a huge number of Pakistani expatriates. He said the government would give an opportunity to only those ambassadors who give better output, take care of the Pakistani community and bring investment to the country.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2018