MoUs signed as Qatar's emir arrives on two-day visit to Pakistan

Bilateral relations discussed in one-on-one meeting between PM Imran, Al-Thani

Three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Islamabad and Doha as Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Islamabad Saturday on a two-day official visit.

Following a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan which discussed bilateral relations, delegation-level talks were held between the delegations of the two countries.

A one on one meeting between Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Imran Khan is underway at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad. It will be followed by delegation-level talks.#PakistanWelcomesQatariEmir #PakQatar 🇵🇰🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/7PjcjxELLP

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 22, 2019

Delegation level meeting between Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Both the leaders covered the entire gamut of bilateral relations to enhance cooperation in diverse fields.#PakistanWelcomesQatariEmir #PakQatar 🇵🇰🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/G0T1dCUsNP

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 22, 2019

Later in a ceremony, Pakistan and Qatar signed three MoUs for cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and financial intelligence.

Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Qatari Finance Minister Ali Shareef Al Emadi signed the MoU for establishment of Pakistan-Qatar joint working group on trade and investment.

Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Dr Fahmida Mirza and Secretary General of Qatar National Tourism Council Akbar Al Baker agreed on cooperation in the fields of tourism and business events.

The third MoU relates to cooperation in the field of exchange of financial intelligence, anti-money laundering and to check terror financing.

Al-Thani together with a high-level delegation landed at the capital's Noor Khan airbase, where a red carpet was rolled out for him. PM Imran and senior ministers of his Cabinet received the Qatari emir.

Painting on camel skin: Qatar Emir to get special gift from PM

At the Prime Minister's House, an official welcome ceremony took place, during which personnel of all three services presented the Qatari ruler a guard of honour.

The distinguished guest was also given a 21-gun salute upon his arrival.

A JF-17 squadron of PAF saluted the guest in a magnificent fly past.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of State of Qatar, was accorded a red-carpet reception with Prime Minister Imran Khan personally receiving him warmly at Nur Khan Airbase. #PakistanWelcomesQatariEmir #PakQatar 🇵🇰🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/3Dk7KDR7In

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 22, 2019

Other engagements

Al Thani also planted a sapling at the lawn of Prime Minister's House.



A post on the prime minister's official Instagram account showed the premier signing a cricket bat for the visiting dignitary.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzBRm3kHQ3t/

The Qatari leader, in turn, presented a sports jersey to PM Imran.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzBScrSn2MX/

Qureshi meets counterpart

Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, who reached Islamabad hours before the Qatari emir’s arrival met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Both the leaders discussed bilateral relations.



Qureshi said more than 125,000 Pakistanis living in Qatar were playing their part in the development of the Gulf country.

He expressed the hope that the visit of Qatari emir will open new vistas of trade between the two countries and investment will increase.

Qatar’s foreign minister also expressed interest to invest in various sectors in Pakistan.

He said his country was interested in attracting more than 100,000 people from Pakistan as workforce for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The emir will also hold talks with President Arif Alvi to “discuss ways and means of building a robust and mutually beneficial economic partnership”.

In a statement earlier this week, PM Imran stated that the Qatari emir will announce an investment of $22 billion for Pakistan spanning different sectors.

"This comes as a second major investment in the country after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had announced to invest $21 billion in Pakistan in three phases under its investment plan," the Instagram post read.

https://www.instagram.com/p/By0jAy9nYXU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Al Thani had earlier visited Pakistan in March 2015.