Trade tops agenda of talks with Qatar

Foreign dignitary meets PM, deputy

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Qatar on Thursday reviewed bilateral trade and investment relations with a particular focus on cooperation in the energy, mining, and aviation sectors.

The ties were discussed in a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi accompanied by senior delegates from the Qatar Investment Authority.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments especially the dire situation in Gaza.

The foreign minister admired Qatar’s active role as a mediator with regard to the Palestine-Israel conflict and emphasized that peace in the region could only be ensured through the establishment of a viable, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

The Qatari minister of state conveyed a message from the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, reiterating steadfast support for Pakistan.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister underscored the significance of economic diplomacy towards transforming bilateral ties into a mutually beneficial economic partnership. Meeting with PMPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Pakistan was keen to transform its excellent ties with Qatar into a mutually beneficial robust economic partnership.

The prime minister, in a meeting with the the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, who called on him, stressed that the two countries should continue to work together to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all spheres of mutual interest, especially in trade and investment.

Highlighting the important role of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), he said that Pakistan would like to see Qatar expand its investment portfolio in Pakistan