Pak values its relationship with Qatar, says Rana Tanveer

ISLAMABAD: Qatari Ambassador Saqr bin Mubarak Al-Mansouri called on Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain in his office at the Ministry of Defence Production, Rawalpindi, on Wednesday.

The federal minister welcomed the guest and highlighted the importance of brotherly relations between Pakistan and Qatar. He stated that Pakistan valued its relationship with Qatar and desired to further strengthen the relationship between both the countries.

Tanveer also thanked Minister of State for Defence Affairs Khalid Al Attiyah, for extending him an invitation to attend DIMDEX-18.

The federal minister briefed the ambassador about the salient features of JF-17 Thunder aircraft which was being indigenously produced with the assistance of China. He said that it was an advanced all-weather fighter aircraft with an excellent air-to-air, and air-to-ground combat capabilities.

He also briefed the dignitary about the defence industries in Pakistan and the state of the art defence products manufactured here. He further said that Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) had the expertise and skill to establish production facilities for infantry weapons, small arms and ammunition, while adding that security products manufactured by Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) could also prove beneficial for Qatar’s defence forces.

Both sides expressed the desire to expand defence and industrial cooperation. The importance of joint ventures and exchange of expertise between the two countries also came under discussion during the meeting.