ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Qatar on Saturday signed three separate agreements to curb money laundering and terror financing, the establishment of a joint working group on trade and investment, and to increase cooperation in the tourism sector during the Qatari emir’s visit to Islamabad.
Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Qatari Finance Minister Ali Shareef Al Emadi signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of Pakistan-Qatar Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment, whereas Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Fahmida Mirza and Secretary General of Qatar National Tourism Council Akbar Al Baker inked the MoU on cooperation in the fields of tourism and business events.
The third MoU related to cooperation in the field of exchange of intelligence over finance, anti-money laundering and to check terror financing was also signed.
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani arrived in Pakistan at the Nur Khan air base earlier in the day on an official two-day visit along with a high-powered delegation of his ministers. He was received by Prime Minister Imran Khan upon arrival and was given a twenty-one cannon salute along with a guard of honour.
A fly-past of JF-17 Thunder jets also took place, followed by a brief gathering where introductions between delegations of both sides were held. The Qatari emir is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising key ministers and senior officials.
Sheikh Al Thani also planted a sapling at the lawn of Prime Minister House as is customary when a foreign dignitary visits.
In a statement earlier this week, PM Imran stated that the Qatari emir will announce an investment of $22 billion for Pakistan spanning different sectors.
“This comes as a second major investment in the country after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had announced to invest $21 billion in Pakistan in three phases under its investment plan,” the Instagram post read.