Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani on Tuesday said the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s visit will open a “new chapter of strategic relations” between the two countries and said his country was ready to cooperate with Pakistan in all fields. The Qatar ruler expressed the views in a meeting with Gilani at the Amiri Diwan, terming the moment a fresh restart after nine years. Hamad said Qatar wanted to maintain a strategic relationship with Pakistan outside the tactical calculation of profit and loss. The two sides expressed satisfaction over several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed between the two countries on Monday, mainly on import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), security cooperation, customs and hydroelectric power development. Gilani said Pakistan gives great importance to its relations with Qatar and wants to explore new avenues of cooperation.
Gilani said Pakistan favoured peaceful in Afghanistan and that any external initiative must not affect Pakistan. The Qatari Emir assured Gilani that the interests of Pakistan would not be compromised. Gilani took up the matter of absorption of Pakistani manpower in various sectors in Qatar. He suggested workers from the seven Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) agencies be provided jobs in Qatar. He said Pakistan, will send professionals trained by the Ministry for Technical Education on Qatar’s demand for preparatory projects of FIFA World Cup 2022 to be held in Doha. Gilani sought Qatar’s support to finalize a Free Trade Agreement with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Hamad assured Gilani of facilitation to exhibit products in Qatar. Gilani offered the Emir to set up a university in Pakistan in his name. Hamad said he would ask his wife Sheikha Mozah, who is chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, to consider the proposal. Gilani invited Hamad to attend the Pakistan Day on March 23 celebrations as chief guest.
Hamad said he would like to visit Pakistan at a convenient date. He expressed his his fondness for Pakistani Basmati rice and Kinnow. He said Qatar could consider the option of importing Basmati rice from Pakistan. The Qatar’s ruler inquired Prime Minister Gilani about the health of President Asif Ali Zardari. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Technical Education Riaz Hussain Peerzada, MNA Haji Munir Khan Aurakzai, Ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Sarfraz Khanzada and representative of Pakistan Qatar Business Association Ahmed Khalil.
PM opened a new chapter in relations: Qatari emir
