DURING the last months Pakistan and Qatar have continuously exchanged high-level visits to further enhance mutual cooperation and explore new horizons in bilateral relations, stressing the importance of peaceful resolution of problems and cooperative efforts to tackle regional and global challenges. Both the countries have mutually agreed on the importance of the ties. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations and promote the existing cooperation in various fields. The Emir of Qatar expressed the importance of brotherly relations between the two countries and the desire to increase economic partnership, trade exchanges and promote investment. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations, focusing on areas such as economy, trade, investment, and cultural exchange. Both countries considered various proposals for cooperation. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for Qatar’s role in supporting economic development in Pakistan, praised Qatar’s diplomatic efforts and humanitarian initiatives to promote peace in the region and Qatar’s role as a mediator in the Palestinian issue. The Emir of Qatar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Art and Architecture from 1940 till now exhibition in Manzar-e-Pakistan organized by Qatar Museum. The delegation included Osaud bin Umar bin Hamad Al-Mana, Vice Chairman and CEO of Al-Mana Group, Khalid Ahmed Al-Manai, Executive Director of Munai Corporation, Chairman MINA (MENA) and Chief Country Officer of Deutsche Bank, Salah Mohammad Jeida, Mansoor Jassim Al-Thani of the Group. Chairman Sheikh Mansour Bin Jassim Al Thani, CEO of Blue Salon Onbil Abu Isa and Director of Sandin Group Yusuf Ibrahim Al Mahmoud were present. A delegation of Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA) headed by Sheikh Faisal bin Qasim Al Thani met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Doha. In the meeting, emphasis was placed on identifying common goals for strengthening trade, investment and economic partnership. The Prime Minister formally invited Qatari business leaders to invest in Pakistan.
Qatar has shown keen interest in the establishment of mega IT Park in Pakistan. Qatar and Saudi Arabia are in high demand for IT experts from Pakistan. During the last couple of years, Pakistan has extraordinarily excelled in IT. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and African countries are leading clients of IT expertise of Pakistan. Only because of IT sector Pakistan can earn tens of billions of dollars foreign exchange. Middle East and Africa are main huge target markets for Pakistan IT sector. To meet the needs of energy Pakistan will have to focus on multiple options. Every now and then we come across news related to exploration of oil and gas reserves in scattered areas of Sindh and the KP provinces. Eventually, Pakistan will have to rely on its own hidden energy resources. Five decades ago, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were merely vast deserts. However, once these countries discovered oil and gas reserves, the Gulf region transformed into a new economic hub for the entire world.
Due to the exploration of oil and gas reserves, Middle Eastern countries have become strong economic powers. The most crucial factor for sustained economic growth in Pakistan will continue to be political stability and certainty. Recent official visit of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman is an assurance of the continuity of economic development and political stability. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir are struggling hard to win repeatedly lost confidence of the foreign investors and potential friendly countries. Unfortunately, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, led by Imran Khan, is continually causing disruptions for the government and the state. His deliberate, provocative and instigative political actions undermine investor confidence. This unrest and political instability embolden terrorist groups. Additionally, his actions abroad are tarnishing Pakistan’s reputation. The establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has opened new possibilities. Pakistan’s economy has long faced multiple challenges, with energy crises severely impacting industrial development. Due to these energy difficulties, foreign investors have been reluctant to invest in Pakistan. Terrorism has also been a significant barrier, halting economic progress. Pakistan continues to combat terrorist groups active in various regions, with Balochistan and the KP being the most affected provinces. However, the defence forces of Pakistan remain optimistic about eradicating terrorism from the country. Amid these efforts, economic indicators show positive signs of development. Pakistan and Qatar are advancing strategic cooperation through high-level visits, focusing on strengthening economic partnerships, expanding trade and fostering investment to address regional challenges and mutual development goals.
—The writer is author of several books based in Islamabad.
