ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and thanked him for his country’s readiness to invest $3 billion to support Pakistan’s cash-strapped economy.
Sharif, who arrived in Doha on a two-day official visit on Tuesday, met the top leader of the Arab state along with his key cabinet members and the army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Earlier in the day, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) announced its plan to invest $3 billion in various commercial and investment sectors in Pakistan.
“Held a very productive meeting with [His Highness] Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar,” the prime minister said in a Twitter post. “We have decided to take our excellent bilateral relations to the next level of strategic engagement. Grateful to HH Emir for Qatar’s investment of $3 billion in various sectors of our economy.”
According to a statement issued by the PM Office in Islamabad, the two leaders discussed bilateral, regional and international issues during their extensive consultations.
“Recalling Pakistan’s long-term partnership with Qatar in the field of LNG cooperation, the Prime Minister thanked His Highness the Amir for Qatar’s vital support in meeting Pakistan’s energy needs,” the statement said, adding the two sides also explored new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy sector.
The prime minister stressed that Pakistanis working and residing in Qatar were not only a source of strength for the economic progress of both countries but also a testament to the value of people-to-people linkages.
“He hoped that Qatar’s rapid economic growth would present even greater opportunities for Pakistanis in the future,” the statement continued.
More than 200,000 Pakistani nationals currently work and live in Qatar.
The prime minister also appreciated the extensive arrangements made by the Arab state to host the FIFA World Cup, 2022.
“He assured the Qatari leadership of Pakistan’s support for the successful organization of the mega event,” the statement added.
Pakistan’s cabinet recently approved a draft agreement to provide troops for the security of the football tournament in Qatar later this year.
During his stay in Doha, the prime minister held meeting with representatives of Qatar’s business community and urged them to explore opportunities presented by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to promote regional connectivity and mutual prosperity.
“The prime minister assured full facilitation to QIA through transparent and expeditious processes,” the PM Office said in a statement on Tuesday.
