Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain arrived in Qatar on four-day visit
BY .Asghar Ali Mubarak
DOHA – President Mamnoon Hussain has arrived in Qatar on a four-day official visit on the invitation of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
During his visit, the President will hold meetings with Emir of Qatar and other dignitaries to discuss important aspects of bilateral relations, regional issues and international developments.The main focus of his official talks and interaction with the Qatari leadership will be on further enhancement of bilateral relations in various fields. These include energy, trade investment, defence and increase in employment opportunities for Pakistani workforce in Qatar.
The President’s visit would further consolidate the existing brotherly relations between the two countries.
The visit is being undertaken at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar. During the visit, the President will hold bilateral meetings with the Emir of Qatar and other dignitaries. The two sides will review important aspects of bilateral relations. Regional issues and international developments will also be discussed. Pakistan and Qatar enjoys excellent bilateral relations in all fields. The two countries share similar view on regional and global issues and also closely cooperate and support each other at the international fora like the UN and OIC.The high level exchanges between the two countries, that started with the visit of His Highness the Emir of Qatar to Pakistan in March 2015 and return visit by the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Qatar in February 2016, area testimony of growing relations between the two brotherly countries. The main focus of the President’s official talks and interaction with the Qatari leadership will be on further enhancement of bilateral relations in various fields, including energy cooperation, trade investment, defense and increase in employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in the Qatari market. The President’s visit would further consolidate the already existing brotherly relations. Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Arab country to do so. The State of Qatar is a sovereign country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its territory surrounded by the Persian Gulf. A strait in the Persian Gulf separates Qatar from the nearby island country of Bahrain, as well as sharing maritime borders with the United Arab Emirates and Iran.
Following Ottoman rule, Qatar became a British protectorate in the early 20th century until gaining independence in 1971. Qatar has been ruled by theHouse of Thani since the early 19th century. Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani was the founder of the State of Qatar. Qatar is a hereditary monarchy and its head of state is Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Whether it should be regarded as a constitutional or an absolute monarchy is a matter of opinion. In 2003, the constitution was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum, with almost 98% in favour. In 2013, Qatar’s total population was 1.8 million: 278,000 Qatari citizens and 1.5 million expatriates.
Qatar is a high income economy and is a developed country, backed by the world’s third largest natural gas reserves and oil reserves. The country has the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar is classified by the UN as a country of very high human development and is the most advanced Arab state for human development. Qatar is a significant power in the Arab world, supporting several rebel groups during the Arab Spring both financially and through its globally expanding media group, Al Jazeera Media Network. For its size, Qatar wields disproportionate influence in the world, and has been identified as a middle power. Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Arab country to do so. Nearly 1 year 7 months ago the Qatar and Pakistan discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop them “to serve the common interests”.
The talks were led by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
HH the Emir is on a two-day visit to Pakistan.
The talks were attended by the delegation accompanying the Emir and senior Pakistani ministers and officials.
During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments.
HH the Emir and Prime Minister Sharif later witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding between the two governments.
Prime Minister Sharif said that Pakistan held Qatar in very high esteem and wished to enhance co-operation in all fields, particularly energy, trade, investment, defence and manpower,
“Talking to the Emir, the prime minister said Pakistan and Qatar enjoyed close and brotherly relations. “He lauded the personal contribution of the Emir in transforming Qatar into one of the most attractive destinations of the world. Qatar’s progress is remarkable, enviable and a matter of pride for us as a brotherly country.
He said Pakistan invited Qatari investment in Pakistan in all areas, adding that “our bilateral trade of less than $300mn per annum is much below its potential”.
The prime minister said that Qatar was home to more than 100,000 Pakistanis whose remittances were making a valuable contribution to the socio-economic development of Pakistan. Pakistan would appreciate if Pakistani manpower in Qatar was substantially enhanced, he said.
Both sides agreed to take measures to enhance trade and strengthen co-operation in the field of defence and manpower.
The prime minister said the Emir’s visit would provide fresh impetus to relations between the two countries.
