PM discusses bilateral ties with Qatari counterpart

Qatar is expected to announce investment of billions of dollars in Pakistan.

DOHA (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan, who reached Doha on a two-day official visit to Qatar on Monday, met his Qatari counterpart Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Dunya News reported.

According to details, bilateral relations and increase in economic cooperation between the two countries were discussed during the meeting. The Qatari premier also hosted a dinner in the honour PM Imran and his delegation.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Adviser to PM Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant to PM Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Chairman BOI Haroon Sharif, Chairperson Task Force on Energy Nadeem Babar, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar Syed Ahsan Raza Shah were also present during the meeting.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reached Doha on a two-day official visit to Qatar to enhance bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest between the two countries.

He was received by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Qatar Soltan bin Saad al-Muraikhi at the airport. The Prime Minister is visiting Qatar at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

According to the sources, the PM will hold a meeting with the Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Besides, the delegation is also expected to discuss an increasing cooperation between Qatar and Pakistan in different fields, in addition to other regional and global issues including talks with Afghan Taliban in Islamabad.

Moreover, Qatar is expected to announce investment of billions of dollars in Pakistan and a possible enhancement in mutual trade between the countries.

The high level meetings will review the Pak-Qatar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) international agreement for a possible reduction in its price and an option of deferred payment of up to US $3 billion under the existing 15-year supply contract.

Furthermore, the PM is expected to discuss the matter of employment of 100,000 Pakistanis in Qatar.

Later, the delegation will also hold meetings with representatives of the Qatar Business Association and the Qatar Investment Authority.

On December 30, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi visited Qatar and met his counterpart to discuss mutual relations and improving links. The Qatari foreign minister has assured to provide more Pakistanis with employment opportunities in the Gulf state.