ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi stated on Thursday that Pakistan wanted to deepen its economic ties with Qatar and turn its cordial ties with that country into trade and investment opportunities.
In a meeting with the departing Qatari ambassador to Pakistan, Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Faisal Al-Thani, at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, he stated, “Pakistan desires a partnership with Qatar in the energy sector and looks forward to Qatari investments in various sectors of the economy.” The president thanked the Qatari government for housing the Pakistani diaspora, which acted as a potent link between the two friendly nations. He expressed the wish that Qatar would open more visa offices in Pakistan and hire more skilled workers from Pakistan.
He lauded the leadership of Qatar for making efforts against Islamophobia, adding that the Islamic world needed to make collective efforts against the rising tide of Islamophobia in the world.
He also highlighted the gross human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as well as the persecution of minorities, especially Muslims, in India.
He underlined that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the atrocities being committed by the Indian Security Forces in IIOJK continued to threaten regional peace and security.
Regarding Afghanistan, the president said that Pakistan and Qatar should continue to work together for bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as the provision of necessary humanitarian assistance to Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
The president appreciated the leadership of Qatar for making excellent arrangements for the FIFA World Cup 2022, saying that Qatar had done a commendable job by successfully organizing such a mega sports event.
He also thanked Qatar for providing humanitarian relief and assistance to Pakistan during last year’s floods.
The president wished the ambassador success for his future and appreciated his contributions towards further strengthening all-around cooperation in areas of mutual interest between Pakistan and Qatar.
