Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
Pakistan and Qatar have close brotherly relations which Pakistan is committed to transforming into robust political and economic partnership.
These views were expressed by Chairman of the Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani while talking to a visiting 11 member Qatari delegation led by Sheikh Ali Abdullah Ali Thani Al-Thani here at Parliament House on Tuesday.
Sanjrani expressed his pleasure to observe the steady growth in Pak-Qatar trade and investment relations, direct linkage between Karachi and Hamad Ports and opening up of Qatari food market for Pakistan which has provided opportunities for enhancement of bilateral trade (US$1.8 billion in the FY-2020).
He further said that Pakistan wished to enhance the volume of bilateral trade to its true potential.
Chairman Senate while welcoming Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)’s interest in investing in various sectors of Pakistani economy said that “We will facilitate QIA in every possible manner; Pakistan has the most liberal and friendly investment regime in the region.
Pakistan’s ranking in Ease of Doing Business index has improved significantly; Establishment of industrial unit of ‘Forward Sports’ in Qatar for manufacturing of footballs for FIFA 2022 and future events is a proud moment for Pakistan”.
Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani was of the view that Pakistani diaspora was making valuable contribution to the development of Qatar.
We are glad that over 72,000 Pakistani workers have been recruited by Qatar out of the approved quota of 100,000.
Senate apprized the visiting Qatari delegation that I0J&K had been under lockdown for over a year now.
Over 8 million Kashmiris are incarcerated in what can be described as the largest open air prison in the World.
Chairman Senate further said that rising wave of hindutva under the BJP government has led to rapid political, economic, and social victimization of Muslims and other religious and social minorities.
Leader of the delegation observed that both Pakistan and Qatar enjoyed longstanding cordial relations and both the countries could further work to explore more avenues of mutual cooperation in various sectors. He termed Pakistan an important ally in the region.
Sheikh Ali Abdullah Ali Thani Al-Thani also recorded his impressions in visitors book.
