Doha, 24 January 2023 (TDI): The Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar held an official meeting with the Minister of Finance of Qatar, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari in Doha.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of science, technology, agriculture, education, trade, finance, and investment.
Dar congratulated his counterpart on the successful completion of the FIFA World Cup 2022. He also thanked Qatar for helping Pakistan’s rehabilitation efforts after the massive floods and extended an invitation to visit Pakistan.
Also read: Pakistan participates actively in FIFA World Cup Preparations
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Government Effectiveness, Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, and Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar, Muhemmed Aejaz also attended the meeting.
In another sitting, Dar met with the delegation of QTerminals, headed by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Neville Bissett. They discussed avenues of cooperation in the field of logistics and port operations.
Finance Minister’s visit to Qatar
Ishaq Dar is on an official visit to Qatar for talks aimed at Pakistan’s economic situation and enhancing cooperation in the energy sector. Dar will host a string of meetings with Qatari officials in Doha and will invite them to invest in Pakistan.
As per the reports, the Finance Minister will offer to sell two Pakistani LNG power plants to Qatari officials. The government is expected to raise $1.5 billion from the sale of these two LNG power plants.
Qatar has earlier shown interest in investing in the aviation sector of Pakistan. It is said that the two power plants, built concurrently with the first LNG terminal during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, were put on an active list for privatization to raise an estimated $1.5 billion.
Last year, the Sharif government issued an order bypassing all prerequisites for the process, as well as eliminating regulatory checks, including the applicability of relevant laws.
Top government officials, including the Prime Minister, visited friendly countries as Pakistan faces default due to the delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
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