Islamabad, 7 August 2022 (TDI): Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif talked to Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar through telephone.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif during the telephonic conversation with the Amir of the State of Qatar exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
It is pertinent to note that two fraternal countries; Qatar and Pakistan enjoy close and cordial relations. Qatar is home to over 200,000 Pakistani diasporas that play a key role in the development of Qatar and Pakistan.
Since the beginning of diplomatic relations in the early 1970s, relations between the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have been strong and deep-rooted in various fields.
These relations have been strengthened by mutual visits at the highest levels, during which a large number of agreements in the fields of politics, economy, trade exchange, investments, culture, education, and many other important fields were signed.
Economic collaboration between the two countries
The signing of a long-term agreement to import approximately 3.5 million tonnes of LNG from Qatar each year marked a new beginning in the two countries’ economic partnership.
This was done to highlight the deep ties between the two brotherly countries and people, as well as an attempt by the Qatari government to assist the Pakistani government in dealing with the severe energy crisis.
In addition, a Qatari private company, Al Mirqab, has invested 49 percent in the construction of a coal-fired power plant with a capacity of 1320 MW.
Following his recent visit to Pakistan, the Amir of Qatar directed to support the Pakistani economy with 3 billion dollars in deposits and direct investments to underscore the strength of bilateral relations and express Qatar’s confidence in the strength of Pakistan’s economy.
The economic ties between the State of Qatar and Pakistan have recently seen remarkable growth, with bilateral trade exchange reaching two billion dollars and approximately 1400 joint companies operating in various fields, as well as 7 companies entirely owned by Pakistanis.
Qatar encourages both countries’ businessmen to contribute to the development of bilateral trade cooperation and seeks to bring Qatari and Pakistani companies closer together to cooperate in the interests of both countries.
Cooperation in the Field of Health and Education
According to an agreement signed in 2018, Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of Qatar’s initiative to educate 10 million children outside of school.
Qatar has supported the Federal Ministry of Education and Vocational Training in launching an education programme for 1 million out-of-school children in Pakistan.
During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the “Lives and Livelihood Fund,” which is led by the “Qatar Fund for Development,” is funding the project “Supporting the National Polio Eradication Program for the Period 2019-2022.”
It aims to assist the Pakistani government in bettering the lives of 39.2 million children under the age of five. The project budget is $ 570 million, and it will last two years. It consists of the following activities:
- Immunization
- Social consciousness
- Monitoring of acute flaccid paralysis is being
