Pakistan, Qatar agree to collaborate in energy, trade sectors

Zardari meets Qatari prime minister, discusses import of LNG to Pakistan.

DOHA: Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to collaborate in energy and trade sectors and have discussed ways to resolve formalities for the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Pakistan.     

President Asif Ali Zardari and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabar Al Thani met in Doha on Wednesday at the Emiri Diwan (the office of Qatari Prime Minister) and discussed ways to further promote trade and investment ties and to add substance to their bilateral relations.

Both leaders discussed diverse issues including joint development of hydropower sector, identification of sources of financing, exploration of investment opportunities in energy sector and rehabilitation of existing hydropower plants.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who attended the meeting, later told APP that the meeting was significant as the leadership of two countries reiterated enhanced cooperation particularly in development projects and investment in the energy sector.

LNG import

Khar said that the talks focused on import of LNG from Qatar to Pakistan and said the project has natural win-win potential for both the countries.

She said that President Zardari expressed satisfaction over the pact signed between Qatar Gas and two Pakistan-based gas companies – Sui Southern Gas Company Limited and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited – for the supply of LNG up to 3.5mtpa (million tons per anum).

The foreign minister added that the president apprised the Qatari prime minister about Pakistan’s “most generous incentive regime” through the petroleum exploration and production policy 2012.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain, who was also present at the meeting, told APP that the meeting focused on the early finalisation of formalities on LNG import. He said that the two sides were keen to sort out details at the earliest.

He called upon the Qatari petroleum and gas companies to take advantage of the new policy and invest in Pakistan’s oil and gas exploration and production sector.

On the finalisation of transnational formalities to LNG import at the earliest, Hussain said Pakistan was interested in importing 77mtpa of LNG. The imported LNG will initially be provided to the power houses in Pakistan to generate 2,500 megawatt electricity.

Export of manpower to Qatar

President Zardari urged Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim to absorb Pakistani skilled and semi-skilled labour in Qatar and added that already 90,000 Pakistani expatriates were efficiently contributing to Qatar’s economy.

He mentioned that more Pakistanis could effectively fulfil part of Qatar’s demand of two million workforce for its infrastructure projects for FIFA 2022 World Cup to be held in Doha.

He also stressed the need for diversifying the trade potential between the two countries. He expressed satisfaction over the remittances from Qatar that had increased to $354 million in 2010 as compared to $339.51 million in 2009.

The president mentioned that the high fee of Qatari visa was a deterrent to export of manpower from Pakistan and hoped it would be reviewed. He proposed the visit of a ministerial-level delegation from Qatar to Pakistan to discuss modalities of export of manpower for Qatar’s future needs.

Frequent flights and bank branches

Khar said the two sides also stressed enhancing airline linkages between the two countries by increasing frequency of flights of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the Qatar Airways, between Islamabad and Doha.

Pakistan also offered the opening of branches of Qatari banks.

The meeting was also attended by Members of National Assembly Munir Orakzai and Amer Ali Khan Magsi and Ambassador Sarfraz Ahmad Khanzada.

Correction: An earlier version of the article was running a picture of President Zardari with Qatari Emir, instead of Qatari prime minister. The picture has been changed.