Zubair Qureshi
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar has termed Pakistan’s relations with the State of Qatar multi-dimensional, long-lasting and of key importance.
“Pakistan values its ties with the brotherly state and the Qatari investment in various sectors of Pakistan is contributing to the country’s economic prosperity and progress.”
The Minister was addressing as Chief Guest a reception hosted by Ambassador of Qatar, Saqr Bin Mubarak Al Mansouri, Wednesday, to mark the Anniversary of the Accession of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani, the Founder of the State of Qatar, to the Rule of the Country.
Every year on December 18, Qatar embassy hosts a reception to celebrate its ruler’s accession to the throne and reiterates the state’s pledge for deeper, stronger ties with Pakistan.
The event was attended by a large number of diplomats, colleagues from the Arab, the African and other countries, high profile officials and public representatives including Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri, Senators Rehman A Malik, Dr Shehzad Wasim and Sitara Ayaz, Imam of Badshahi Mosque Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, Senator Rehman A Malik, Deputy Head of Mission European Union Anne Marchal, DCM of French Embassy Yves Manville, Abdullah Gul and many distinguished and noted personalities of the town.
Hammad Azhar felicitated Qatar Ambassador on the auspicious occasion saying Pakistan-Qatar are mutual beneficial and characterized by common desire for regional peace, progress and stability.
Currently more than 130,000 Pakistani community members are working in Qatar and making their due role in the country’s economic, infrastructure and other sectors’ uplift, he said.
Ambassador of Qatar, Saqr Bin Mubarak Al Mansouri thanking the guests highlighted the important points of bilateral cooperation that has been improved lately.
He particularly mentioned Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s visit to Pakistan earlier in June this year.
The visit gave a further boost to mutual relations and people are realizing its positive impact slowly but steadily, he said. The Emir’s visit had brought in its wake an investment of US $3 billion in Pakistan.
At present the volume of Pak-Qatar trade relations is around US $2.66 billion, said the ambassador adding the Qatari companies are investing in Pakistan’s economy, energy, agriculture, food, real estate and housing sectors, said the ambassador.
He also highlighted Pakistani workers’ contribution in almost all fields of life in Qatar and hoped their number will rise from the current figure of 180,000 as World Cup 2022 are drawing near.
Qatar charity too is making great contributions in a number of sectors particularly education, said the Ambassador adding since 2018, around 1 million Out Of School (OOS) children have been brought back to schools with its support. With close cooperation and mutual trust we are destined to work out challenges and find a common destiny, said the ambassador.
