ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has expressed the desire to further strengthen cooperation with Qatar in all fields of mutual interest including trade and defense.
In a meeting with the ambassador of Qatar in Pakistan Sayar Abdul Rahman J. Al-Mawdah who paid a farewell call on President Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad on Thursday, the president said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its close and cordial relations with Qatar.
The president expressed hope that the Qatari investment authority would invest in different sectors of Pakistani economy by taking advantage of its lucrative business and investor friendly policies.
Mamnoon Hussain emphasized that both brotherly countries should continue to explore mutual avenues for future cooperation for further enhancing the existing volume of bilateral trade. He appreciated the support and lobbying of Qatar with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for early conclusion of Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
President Mamnoon said that Pakistan was looking forward to co-financing of Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project by Qatar to the tune of $200 million. He said that Pakistan was keen to import Liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and expressed confidence that Sale-Purchase Agreement between the two countries would be finalized soon.
The president also invited Qatari petroleum and gas companies to invest in Pakistan’s oil and gas exploration and production sectors and tap its potential.
In addition, President Mamnoon said that Pakistan wished to further consolidate its defence cooperation with Qatar and offered to provide military hardware including Super Mushshak (Trainer Aircraft). He offered to provide manpower as per the requirements of Qatar for the projects Qatar intended to undertake in its preparation for hosting FIFA 2022 World Cup.
