Pakistan, Qatar reiterate quest for Afghan peace

Qureshi underlines foresightedness of the emir in providing early foundation for reconciliation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Qatar on Sunday agreed to continue their efforts along with other stakeholders to seek a political solution to the 17-year-long Afghan war.

The understanding was reached between the two countries during a visit of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to Doha where he held talks with the Qatari leadership, including Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani.

The visit came against the backdrop of recent talks in Abu Dhabi between US officials and Afghan Taliban. Pakistan brokered the talks that were also attended by representatives of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Qatar was conspicuous by its absence despite hosting a Taliban office in Doha. Qatar was not invited to the Abu Dhabi talks apparently because of its continued tension with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

But Pakistan thinks Qatar has an important role to play in these Afghan peace talks.



In fact a statement issued by the Foreign Office here said Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated the role played by Qatar in the Afghan peace talks.

The statement said the foreign minister briefed the Qatari leadership on recent developments concerning peace in Afghanistan. He underlined the foresightedness of the emir of Qatar in providing an early foundation for peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan.

He added that close and regular coordination between Pakistan and Qatar in this regard would assist the ongoing efforts to achieve a broader regional understanding for long-term stability in Afghanistan and the region.

On the bilateral front, both sides expressed satisfaction on the upward trajectory of the relations symbolised by exchange of recent high-level visits, starting with the visit of the foreign minister of Qatar to Islamabad in October. This was followed by return visits to Doha by the minister of state for interior in October, minister of finance on December 14-15, the chief of the army staff on December 17-18 to attend the Qatar National Day Parade and the foreign minister's visit on Sunday.



PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN

Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to strengthen relations with most important regional countries and neighbours of Pakistan, including Qatar.

Both sides agreed that such synergy was necessary to overcome common hurdles and devise a consensus-based approach to achieving wider regional development and progress. As part of high-level engagements in this spirit, Prime Minister Imran is now due to visit Doha on mutually agreed dates in January 2019.



The foreign minister assured the leadership of Qatar of Pakistan's commitment to further solidifying bilateral political, economic and defence relations.

He expressed satisfaction on opening of Qatar Visa Centres in Pakistan, adding that it would fast track recruitment process for 100,000 Pakistani workers by Qatar. He offered services of professional Pakistani workforce for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Qatar is already home to 140,000-strong Pakistani diaspora, which provides a strong bond in the bilateral brotherly relations.

Both countries agreed to speed up progress in the economic, trade and investment sectors. It was noted that an increase in Pakistan's exports to Qatar by 70.53%, mainly due to exports of food items, during the last financial year was a highly encouraging achievement. This export trend now needs to be replicated in export of non-perishable items as well. Pharmaceuticals, construction, shipping and maritime sectors hold the best potential in this regard.

PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN

Pakistan also offers considerable investment opportunities for Qatari companies in the special economic zones set up under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project and for joint ventures. It was agreed that avenues to fully explore these potentials would be explored during the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting and bilateral political consultations in the first quarter of 2019 in Doha.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani thanked the foreign minister for his visit to Qatar and conveyed his best wishes for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

He reiterated the desire of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to strengthen relations with Pakistan in all areas, particularly to achieve regional peace and stability as well as to promote bilateral economic and cultural cooperation.

He reiterated that Qatar's commitment of brotherhood with Pakistan was beyond doubt and the relationship could only move from strength to strength, adding that Qatar looked forward to the visit of Pakistan’s PM that would add a fresh chapter in the bilateral ties.