ISLAMABAD: Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) retired Lt Gen Abdul Qadir Baloch called on Qatar’s Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani in Doha on Tuesday.

According to a press release, the Qatari leader lauded the strengthening of strategic ties between the two countries.

The minister said Pakistan accorded great importance to its relations with Gulf countries, especially Qatar.

He praised the assistance given by the government of Qatar for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan.

The prime minister of Qatar said his country was looking to boost its ties with Pakistan in every field.

Mr Baloch briefed him on the present status of the IDPs and Afghan refugees in Pakistan and the Qatari leader offered his full support to tackle this humanitarian issue.

Later the federal minister met Qatar’s Minister of State for Defence Maj Gen Hamad bin Ali Al Attiya. The two ministers discussed strategic bilateral issues related to all important fields.

Mr Baloch also discussed the regional situation with both dignitaries and extended full cooperation from the government of Pakistan.

The minister is on an official visit to Qatar to participate in the 13th United Nations Crime Prevention Conference.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2015

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