Qatar helping Pakistan overcome energy crisis, says CM

The chief minister meets emir of Qatar in Doha.

LAHORE: Qatar is extending invaluable cooperation to Pakistan to help it overcome its energy crisis, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday.

Sharif met Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.

According to a statement issued by the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR), both leaders agreed to promote Pak-Qatar relations and cooperation in economic and trade sectors.

The chief minister expressed the hope that Pakistan would be rid of load shedding with the help and cooperation of friendly countries. He also praised Qatar for its cooperation in various sectors. “A new era of Pak-Qatar relations is beginning. Qatar is extending commendable cooperation for strengthening trade and economic relations,” he said.

He said cooperation between the two countries would further increase in the future. “There are vast opportunities of investment in Pakistan especially in the Punjab. The government is facilitating foreign investors on a priority basis. Investors from Qatar can benefit from the opportunities in various sectors in the Punjab,” the chief minister said. He said that a conducive atmosphere had been provided for investment in the Punjab.

The emir of Qatar said that his country would invest in several development sectors in Pakistan and extend cooperation in coping with energy crisis.

“Pakistan is a friend of Qatar’s. Its development and prosperity is very dear to us. Qatar realises the problems Pakistan faces and will extend full support for overcoming these.

Besides meeting gas requirements of Pakistan, Qatar will continue to cooperate with Pakistan in agriculture, power generation and manpower sector,” he said.

He said that Qatar appreciated the recent efforts of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to strengthen Pak-Qatar relations. “A positive impact of these efforts is already visible in trade and economic sectors. Relations between the two countries will strengthen further,” he said.

He said that Qatar was aware of Pakistan’s importance and role in the region and the government, leadership and the people of Qatar wanted to see Pakistan became a developed and prosperous country.

Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Musadik Malik, the spokesman to the prime minister, were also present at the meeting.

CM takes notice of kite-flying: Sharif on Sunday took notice of an accident in which a man was injured due to kite string in Lahore. He sought a report from police authorities.

He directed police to take all steps to implement the ban on kite-flying in the province. “The authorities should take indiscriminate action against violators of the ban. Kite-flying will not be tolerated. Police and administration should do their duties efficiently in this regard,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2015.