JEDDAH: Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and assist in efforts for promoting Islamic solidarity including the convening of and attendance at the Islamic Summit in Lahore next January, according to Jeddah Radio which quoted a joint communique issued from Doha at the end of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s visit to Qatar. The report said that the visit … concluding today [Dec 11] was at the invitation of the Qatar Government. … Both sides reached full agreement … on the various issues discussed. Both sides agreed to take steps for strengthening the ties between the two countries, [concentrating on] efforts seeking to promote Islamic world Unity … and measures … to remove Zionist aggression from Arab lands.

Later, on arrival in Abu Dhabi … Prime Minister Bhutto held … talks with Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates. … The two leaders and their aides posed for photographers in the huge reception hall and then went into formal discussions. … Later in the evening, Mr. Bhutto addressed the Pakistani Defence personnel working in Abu Dhabi.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2023