https://arab.news/pv9as
- Sharif is scheduled to meet the top leader of the Arab state, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
- He will also interact with Qatari business leaders amid investment talks between the two states
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held extensive talks with Qatari Premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Thursday in Doha, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties through enhanced trade, investment, energy and cultural collaboration, according to an official statement issued in Islamabad.
Sharif’s visit to Qatar, which began Wednesday, seeks to bolster economic cooperation as Pakistan looks to foreign investment to stabilize its economy.
In 2022, the Qatar Investment Authority committed $3 billion for projects in Pakistan, spanning airport management, renewable energy and hospitality.
Qatar has also explored partnering with Pakistan in managing the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, owned by Pakistan International Airlines.
“Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged Qatar’s contributions to Pakistan’s economic growth and expressed gratitude for its continued support in various sectors,” said the statement issued by his office after the meeting.
“He thanked his Qatari counterpart for hosting a large Pakistani diaspora who act as a human bridge between the two brotherly countries,” it added.
Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said during her weekly news conference that Sharif’s meetings in Doha will primarily focus on trade and investment and regional discussions.
The two leaders also discussed global and regional issues, with Sharif commending Qatar’s “principled stance” on Gaza and its diplomatic efforts toward peace.
Qatar has facilitated negotiations between Hamas and Israel, aiming for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing war in the Palestinian enclave.
The Pakistani prime minister also praised Qatar’s humanitarian work and its advocacy for dialogue, recognizing its role as crucial for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Sharif is scheduled to meet with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, inaugurate an exhibition on Pakistani art and architecture at a museum, and interact with a delegation from the local business community.
Before arriving in Doha, Sharif attended the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he discussed trade and investment with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The talks built on recent agreements worth $2.8 billion, including investments in agriculture, semiconductor manufacturing, and energy, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s economy and deepening ties between the two nations.