Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Islamabad on Saturday on a two-day official visit to Pakistan. He is accompanied by a high-powered delegation comprising key ministers and senior officials.
Al Thani was received by Prime Minister Imran Khan on his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, where he was given a 21-gun salute. This was followed by a formal welcoming ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House, where the visiting dignitary was given a tri-services guard of honour. He also witnessed fly-past of JF-17 Thunder. The visiting dignitary also planted a tree at the Prime Minister’s House.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held one-on-one meeting, followed by delegation-level talks. The talks were marked by exceptional warmth and cordiality. All aspects of bilateral relations came under review. The two leaders reaffirmed the closeness of Pakistan-Qatar fraternal ties and reiterated the resolve to forge a robust political and economic partnership.
Among other things, it was agreed to take steps to significantly increase bilateral trade; expand collaboration in the agriculture and food sectors; enhance cooperation in the energy sector including in the LNG and LPG fields and exploration and production of oil and gas; promote Qatar’s investments in energy, tourism and hospitality industries; increase the number of Pakistani workers employed in Qatar; expand cooperation in the fields of aviation, maritime affairs, higher education, and defence and defence production. It was decided that the respective ministers would hold further follow-up talks on the areas to give concrete shape to the proposals agreed between the leaders.
The two sides also exchanged views on the regional situation and efforts to facilitate the Afghan peace process.
During the talks, the prime minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Energy Minister Omar Ayub, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi, Special Assistant to the PM on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, SAPM on Overseas Pakistani Zulfiqar Bukhari, Finance Advisor Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Commerce Advisor Abdul Razzak Dawood.
Following the official talks, Pakistan and Qatar signed the following MoUs:
* Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Pakistan and Qatar Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade and Investment;
* Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the fields of Tourism and Business Events between Government of State of Qatar and Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and
* Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Exchange of Financial Intelligence related to Money Laundering, Associated Predicate Offences and Terrorism Financing between Financial Information Unit of State of Qatar and the Financial Monitoring Unit, in the Government of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan hosted a banquet dinner in honour of the Qatari emir and his entourage. In a special gesture, Al Thani presented the Qatar National football team jersey to Prime Minister Imran Khan and received a cricket bat signed by him.
The distinguished guest will have a meeting with the President Arif Alvi on Sunday (today). The visit will further cement the close brotherly relations between Pakistan and Qatar and give a significant boost to bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the Nur Khan airbase, Amir of Qatar was warmly received by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Special Assistant to PM Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari and other high officials were also present there to welcome the foreign dignitary. Children clad in traditional attire presented bouquet to the visiting dignitary.
Later, the PM himself drove Amir of Qatar to the Prime Minister House where an official welcome ceremony was held.
National anthems of the two countries were played and a smartly turned out contingent of the armed forces of Pakistan presented a guard of honour. Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reviewed the guard of honour.
The prime minister introduced him to the federal cabinet members and also welcomed the delegation accompanying the Amir of Qatar.
Intelligence-based operations were launched in the capital as part of security measures ahead of the arrival of the Qatari emir. The operations were conducted jointly by the teams of armed forces, the Counter Terrorism Force of Capital and the capital police. Besides, the special branch of the capital police also deployed officials all around the capital to gather prior information for necessary and precautionary measures. Two units of Rangers along with the capital police would perform security duties during the visit of the Qatari emir, they said, adding that the Red Zone would be partially sealed during the period for strictly restricting the entry of the unconcern persons.
